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Minnesota House of Representatives

Agriculture Finance and Policy

NINETEENTH MEETING

2023-2024 Regular Session - Thursday, March 16, 2023

STATE OF MINNESOTA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE NINETEENTH MEETING
NINETY-THIRD SESSION



AGRICULTURE FINANCE & POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Representative Kristi Pursell, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM on March 16, 2023, in Room 120 of the State Capitol Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members Present:
VANG, Samantha, Chair
PURSELL, Kristi, Vice Chair
ANDERSON, Paul, Republican Lead
BURKEL, John
CHA, Ethan
FREDERICK, Luke
HANSEN, Rick
HARDER, Bobbie
JACOB, Steven
NELSON, Nathan
REHM, Lucy
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
TABKE, Brad

A quorum was present.

Representative Tabke moved to adopt the March 14, 2023, minutes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Presentation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on FarmLink.

Presenting:
• Jim Ostlie, Livestock Development and Planning Specialist & FarmLink Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

HF 2110 (Wolgamott); Center for Rural Policy and Development grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Pursell moved that HF 2110 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Pursell presented HF 2110.
The following testified on HF 2110:
• Julie Tesch, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Rural Policy & Development

Representative Pursell renewed the motion that HF 2110 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill is laid over.

HF 860 (Petersburg); Local food promotion and education event funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Pursell moved that HF 860 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Petersburg presented HF 860.

The following testified on HF 860:
• Tim Penny, President & Chief Executive Officer, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

Representative Pursell renewed the motion that HF 860 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 2288 (Tabke); University of Minnesota; farm scale winter greenhouse research and development funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Tabke moved that HF 2288 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

Representative Tabke presented HF 2288.

The following testified on HF 2288:
• Greg Schweser. Director of Programming, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships

Representative Tabke renewed the motion that HF 2288 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 695 (Frederick); Agriculture-related business assistance funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.

Representative Frederick moved that HF 695 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Frederick presented HF 695.

The following testified on HF 695:
• Sam Ziegler, President, GreenSeam
• Ethan Dado, Teacher, Mankato Area Public Schools
• Matthew Bortman, Student, Mankato West Public Schools

Representative Frederick renewed the motion that HF 695 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 1606 (Burkel); Minnesota Turf Seed Council grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Burkel moved that HF 1606 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Burkel presented HF 1606.

The following testified on HF 1606:
• Marvin Zutz, Executive Director, Minnesota Turf Seed Council

Representative Burkel renewed the motion that HF 1606 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 2563 (Cha); Meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Cha moved that HF 2563 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Cha presented HF 2563.

The following testified on HF 2563:
• Morgan Thao, Owner, Concord Fresh Meat Processing
• Hannah Bernhardt, Farmer, Medicine Creek Farm

Representative Cha renewed the motion that HF 2563 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

Committee recessed at 2:28 PM.

Committee reconvened at 6:01 PM

HF 2562 (Sencer-Mura); Commissioner of Agriculture funding provided for grants to partner organizations to assist meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new employees, and money appropriated.

Representative Sencer-Mura moved that HF 2562 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Sencer-Mura moved an oral amendment to HF 2562, as below:
• Page 2, line 8, Delete “$...” and insert “$500,000” and delete “$....” and insert “$500,000”
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE ORAL AMENDMENT WAS INCORPORATED.

Representative Sencer-Mura presented HF 2562.

The following testified on HF 2562:
• Stu Lowery, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Farmers Union
• Kate Mudge, Business Development Officer, West Central Initiative Foundation
• Cory Detloff, Director of Agriculture & Energy, Central Lakes College
• Paul Sobocinski, Livestock Farmer & Minnesota Farmers Union Member, Minnesota Farmers Union Bottleneck Project Manager

Representative Sencer-Mura renewed the motion that HF 2562 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 2278 (Vang); Board of Animal Health funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Vang moved that HF 2278 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Vang moved the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED

Representative Anderson moves the A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED

Representative Vang presented HF 2278, as amended.

The following testified on HF 2278, as amended:
• Dr. Marion Garcia, Executive Director, Board of Animal Health
• Barry Koppen, Board of Director, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association

Representative Vang renewed the motion that HF 2278, as amended. be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 1361 (Vang); Community development financial institutions technical assistance grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Vang moved that HF 1361 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Vang presented HF 1361.

Representative Jacob moved the A1 amendment. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.

Representative Harder moved the A2 amendment. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.

The following testified on HF 1361:
• Aaron Blyth, Agricultural Project Manager, Latino Economic Development Center

Representative Vang renewed the motion that HF 1361 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 2679 (Vang); Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and Office of Broadband Development budgets established; money transferred to border-to-border broadband fund account; policy and technical changes made to agriculture provisions; fee modified; accounts created; reports required; civil penalties provided; and money appropriated.

Representative Vang moved that HF 2679 be re-referred to Ways and Means Committee.

Representative Vang presented HF 2679.

The following testified on HF 2679:
• Thom Peterson, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Representative Vang renewed the motion that HF 2679 be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Hansen renewed the motion that HF 2472 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 1585 (Vang); Nonnative Phragmites added to noxious weeds provisions.

Representative Vang moved that HF 1585 be re-referred to the General Register.

Representative Hansen presented HF 1585.

Representative Vang renewed the motion that HF 1585 be re-referred to the General Register.

Representative Vang assumed the gavel at 7:15pm.

HF 2472 (Hansen); New program for systemic pesticide-treated seed established, new account in agricultural fund established, and money appropriated.

Representative Hansen moved that HF 2472 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Jacob moves the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Nelson moves the A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Burkel moves the A3 amendment. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.

Representative Hansen presented HF 2472.

The following testified on HF 2472:
• Lucas Rhoads, Staff Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Chris Cowen, Lobbyist, Pesticide Action Network
• Cory Bennett, Lobbyist, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association
• Dan Stoddard, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Patrick Murray, Executive Director, Minnesota Crop Retailers Association

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M.

__________________________________________
Representative Samantha Vang, Chair


__________________________________________
Matthew Sauser, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF695 (Frederick) - Agriculture-related business assistance funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
  • HF860 (Petersburg) - Local food promotion and education event funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF1606 (Burkel) - Minnesota Turf Seed Council grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF2110 (Wolgamott) - Center for Rural Policy and Development grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF2288 (Tabke) - University of Minnesota; farm scale winter greenhouse research and development funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF2472 (Hansen) - New program for systemic pesticide-treated seed established, new account in agricultural fund established, and money appropriated.
  • HF2562 (Sencer-Mura) - Commissioner of agriculture grant funding provided to partner organizations to assist meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new employees, and money appropriated.
  • HF2563 (Cha) - Meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities funding provided; and money appropriated.
  • HF2679 (Vang) - Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and Office of Broadband Development budgets established; money transferred to border-to-border broadband fund account; policy and technical changes made; fees modified; accounts created; civil penalties provided; and money appropriated.
  • HF1361 (Vang) - Community development financial institutions technical assistance grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF2278 (Vang) - Agriculture finance and policy bill.
  • HF1585 (Vang) - Nonnative Phragmites added to noxious weeds provisions.
Documents:
Audio:
Listen Now
House TV Video:
View Archive

01:54 - Department of Agriculture FarmLink presentation.
09:42 - HF2110 (Wolgamott) Center for Rural Policy and Development grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
20:38 - HF860 (Petersburg) Local food promotion and education event funding provided, and money appropriated.
30:57 - HF2288 (Tabke) University of Minnesota; farm scale winter greenhouse research and development funding provided, and money appropriated.
45:21 - HF695 (Frederick) Agriculture-related business assistance funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
54:41 - HF1606 (Burkel) Minnesota Turf Seed Council grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
1:02:09 - HF2563 (Cha) Meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities funding provided, and money appropriated.
The committee recessed.
Runs 1 hour, 16 minutes.

House TV Video:
View Archive

HF2562 (Sencer-Mura) Commissioner of agriculture funding provided for grants to partner organizations to assist meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new employees, and money appropriated.
17:02 - HF2278 (Vang) Board of Animal Health funding provided, and money appropriated.
22:41 - HF1361 (Vang) Community development financial institutions technical assistance grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
38:02 - HF2679 (Vang) Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and Office of Broadband Development budgets established; money transferred to border-to-border broadband fund account; policy and technical changes made to agriculture provisions; fees modified; accounts created; reports required; civil penalties provided; and money appropriated.
58:24 - HF1585 (Vang) Nonnative Phragmites added to noxious weeds provisions.
1:00:21 - HF2472 (Hansen) New program for systemic pesticide-treated seed established, new account in agricultural fund established, and money appropriated.
Runs 2 hours, 2 minutes.

AGENDA*
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
MDA Farm Link presentation.
HF 2110 (Wolgamott) Center for Rural Policy and Development grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF 860 (Petersburg) Local food promotion and education event funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF 2288 (Tabke) University of Minnesota; farm scale winter greenhouse research and development funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF 695 (Frederick) Agriculture-related business assistance funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
HF 1606 (Burkel) Minnesota Turf Seed Council grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF 2563 (Cha) Meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities funding provided, and money appropriated.

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
HF 2562 (Sencer-Mura) Commissioner of agriculture funding provided for grants to partner organizations to assist meat and poultry processors with hiring and training new employees, and money appropriated.
HF 2278 (Vang) Board of Animal Health funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF 1361 (Vang) Community development financial institutions technical assistance grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
HF2679 (Vang) Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and Office of Broadband Development budgets established; money transferred to border-to-border broadband fund account; policy and technical changes made to agriculture provisions; fees modified; accounts created; reports required; civil penalties provided; and money appropriated.
HF 2472 (Hansen, R) New program for systemic pesticide-treated seed established, new account in agricultural fund established, and money appropriated.
HF 1585 (Vang) Nonnative Phragmites added to noxious weeds provisions.

HANDOUTS: Handouts MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT and emailed to the committee administrator by 12 p.m. (noon) the business day before the hearing. If you are bringing hard copies, bring 40 copies. Note: submitted written testimony is public and will be included in the official committee record. It may be posted to the committee webpage if received by deadline.
TESTIFYING: Testimony is limited. The number of testifiers and length of time permitted is at the discretion of the chair, and is subject to change. Please plan accordingly. If you would like to testify, please email the committee administrator by 12 p.m. (noon) the business day before the hearing.
DOCUMENTS: Meeting documents may be found on the Agriculture Finance and Policy webpage.
ACCESSIBILITY: To learn more about requesting an accommodation, please visit the FAQs for Disability Access. If you have further questions on accommodations or accessibility, please contact the Committee Administrator.

*Agenda items (including bills) may be added or removed, and/or order may change.