THIRTEENTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-THIRD SESSION


AGRICULTURE FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Representative Andy Smith, Co-Vice Chair of the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy, called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M. on, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Room G3 of the State Capitol Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members Present:
HANSEN, Rick (DFL Chair)
ANDERSON, Paul (GOP Chair)
SMITH, Andy (DFL Vice Chair)
HARDER, Bobby (GOP Vice Chair)
AGBAJE, Esther
BURKEL, John
FREDERICK, Luke
GOTTFRIED, David
JACOB, Steven
LAWRENCE, Bryan
LEE, Fue
NELSON, Nathan
VANG, Samantha

Members Excused:
GANDER, Steve

A quorum was present.

Representative Frederick moved that the minutes of March 24, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF2784 (Vang) Annual report to the legislature on the beginning farmer loan program required.

Representative Vang moved that HF 2784 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.

Representative Vang presented HF 2784.

Vice Chair Smith laid over HF 2784 for possible inclusion in a future bill.

HF2785 (Vang) Appropriation for the farm to school and early care program expanded, and eligibility for the farm to school and early care program modified.

Representative Vang moved that HF 2785 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.

Representative Vang presented HF 2785.

Testifying:
• Kate Seybold, Ag Marketing & Development, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Vice Chair Smith laid over HF 2785 for possible inclusion in a future bill.

Vice Chair Smith recessed the meeting at 1:15 P.M.

Vice Chair Smith reconvened the meeting at 1:22 P.M.

HF2778 (Hansen) Money transferred to the agricultural research, education, extension, and technology transfer account.

Chair Hansen moved that HF 2778 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.

Chair Hansen presented HF 2778.

Testifying:
• Dr. Peter Larsen, Minnesota Cener for Prion Research and Outreach and University of Minnesota
• Dr. Stuart Lichtenberg, Minnesota Cener for Prion Research and Outreach and University of Minnesota

Chair Hansen laid over HF 2778 for possible inclusion in a future bill.

HF2579 (Hansen) AGRI works and AGRI support grant programs funding provided, and money appropriated

Chair Hansen moved that HF 2579 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.

Chair Hansen presented HF 2579.

Testifying:
• Paul Hugunin, Ag Marketing & Development, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Chair Hansen moved the H2579A1 amendment to HF 2579.

Chair Hansen presented the H2579A1 amendment to HF 2579.

Testifying:
• Thom Petersen, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Chair Hansen offered an oral amendment to the H2579A1 amendment to HF2579 as follows:
Page 1, line 1.10, after “year”, insert “2026”
THE MOTION PREVILED. THE ORAL AMENDMENT, TO THE AMENDMENT, WAS INCORPORATED.

Representative Hansen moved the H2579A1 amendment, as amended. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT, AS AMENDED, WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Hansen presented HF 2579 as amended.

Chair Hansen laid over HF 2579, as amended, for possible inclusion in a future bill.

HF2281 (Hansen) Livestock market agency and dealer licensing provisions modified, farmers' market or community event food sampling and demonstration provisions modified, food certificate payment provisions modified, and obsolete provisions repealed.

Chair Hansen moved that HF 2281 be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill.

Chair Hansen presented HF 2281.

Testifying:
• Michelle Medina, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Dr. Nichole Neeser, Dairy & Meat Inspection, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Chair Hansen laid over HF 2281 for possible inclusion in a future bill.

The meeting adjourned at 2:09 P.M.






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Representative Rick Hansen, Co-Chair





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Leah Killian, Committee Legislative Assistant