SIXTEENTH MEETING

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



AGRICULTURE FINANCE & POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Representative Samantha Vang, Chair of the Committee on Agricultural Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM on March 7, 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 Hansen moved to adopt the March 1, 2023 minutes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Hansen moved to adopt the March 2, 2023 minutes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

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

Representative Vang moved that HF 1585 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Vang presented HF 1585.

The following testified on HF 1585:
• None

Representative Vang renewed the motion that HF 1585 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 2277 (Vang); Eligibility for beginning farmer tax credit modified for sale of agricultural asset, credit administration funding provided, sunset of credit repealed, and money appropriated.

Representative Vang moved that HF 2277 be referred to the Taxes Committee.

Representative Vang presented HF 2277.

The following testified on HF 2277:
• Molly Byron, Farmer, Byron Farms
• Jane Windsperger, Owner, GEDEF Organic Farm
• Dustin Weiss, Insurance Agent, Minnesota Farm Bureau Financial Services
• Lucas Sjostrom, Executive Director, MN Milk Producers Association
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota of Department of Agriculture
• Stu Lorney, Government Relations Director, Minnesota Farmers Union
• Matthew McDevitt, Agriculture Finance Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Representative Vang renewed the motion that HF 2277 be re-referred to the Taxes Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Vang assumed the gavel at 1:31 pm.

HF 2313 (Pursell); Border-to-border broadband grant program modified, and money appropriated.

Representative Pursell moved that HF 2313 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Vang moved the DE1 amendment for discussion.

Representative Pursell presented HF 2313.

The following testified on HF 2313:
• Nathan Zacharias, Technology Policy Analyst, Association of Minnesota Counties
• Steve Giorgi, Executive Director, Range Association of Municipalities and Schools
• Brent Christensen, President/Chief Executive Officer, Minnesota Telecom Alliance
• Brian Krambeer, Chief Executive Officer, MiEnergy Cooperative
• Barbara Klein, Planner, [Something] County
• Deven Bowdry, Legislative Liaison, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Representative Pursell renewed the motion that HF 2313 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 1799 (Cha); Dairy industry regulating provisions modified.

Representative Cha moved that HF 1799 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Cha presented HF 1799.

The following testified on HF 1799:
• Dr. Nicole Neeser, Dairy & Meat Inspection Division Director, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Representative Cha renewed the motion that HF 1799 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 1638 (Sencer-Mura); Nursery and plant protection provisions modified.

Representative Sencer-Mura moved that HF 1638 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Sencer-Mura presented HF 1638.

The following testified on HF 1638:
• Mark Abrahamson, Plant Protection Division Director, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Representative Sencer-Mura renewed the motion that HF 1638 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 1678 (Pursell); Genetically engineered organisms provisions modified.

Representative Pursell moved that HF 1678 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Pursell presented HF 1678.

The following testified on HF 1678:
• Denise Thiede, Plant Protection Division, Seed Unit Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Representative Pursell renewed the motion that HF 1689 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

HF 1868 (Rehm); Agriculture; international marketing funding provided, and money appropriated.

Representative Rehm moved that HF 1868 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill.

Representative Rehm presented HF 1868.

The following testified on HF 1868:
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota of Department of Agriculture
• Cory Bennett, Lobbyist, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association

Representative Rehm renewed the motion that HF 1868 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 P.M.

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Representative Samantha Vang, Chair


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Matthew Sauser, Committee Legislative Assistant