1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money for county agricultural inspector grants.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION.
 1.5 	(a) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
1.6 	commissioner of agriculture for grants to counties to support county agricultural inspectors. 
1.7 	The commissioner may use up to three percent of the appropriation each year for 
1.8 	administration.
1.9 	(b) To be eligible for grants under this section, a county must employ a county agricultural 
1.10 	inspector or a county-designated employee who:
1.11 	(1) has attended training for new county agricultural inspectors offered by the 
1.12 	commissioner;
1.13 	(2) coordinates with the commissioner to review applicable laws and enforcement 
1.14 	procedures;
1.15 	(3) compiles and submits to the commissioner local weed inspector annual report data;
1.16 	(4) conducts an annual meeting and training for local weed inspectors; and
1.17 	(5) assists the commissioner with control programs and other agricultural programs 
1.18 	when requested under Minnesota Statutes, section 18.81, subdivision 1b, as directed by the 
1.19 	county board.
1.20 	(c) County agricultural inspectors and county-designated employees must annually 
1.21 	submit an application, on a form approved by the commissioner, to be eligible for funding 
2.1 	during a given year. The commissioner must equally divide available grant money among 
2.2 	eligible counties.