STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
AGRICULTURE FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Rick Hansen, Co-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy, called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M., on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in Room G3 of the Minnesota State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
HANSEN, Rick (DFL Co-Chair)
ANDERSON, Paul (GOP Co-Chair)
SMITH, Andy (DFL Co-Vice Chair)
HARDER, Bobbie (GOP Co-Vice Chair)
AGBAJE, Esther
BURKEL, John
FREDERICK, Luke
GANDER, Steve
GOTTFRIED, David
JACOB, Steve
LAWRENCE, Bryan
LEE, Fue
NELSON, Nathan
VANG, Samantha
A quorum was present.
Representative Gottfried moved to approve the minutes from April 9, 2025. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Presenting:
• Thom Petersen, Commissioner
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner
Co-Chair Anderson assumed the gavel at 1:46 P.M.
Presentation from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
Presenting:
• Dr. Brian Hoefs, State Veterinarian and Executive Director
• Michelle Medina, Director of Government Relations
Co-Chair Hansen assumed the gavel at 2:19 P.M.
Presentation from Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Presenting:
• Shannon Schlecht, Executive Director
• Dan Sparks, Director of Government and Industry Relations
• Frederico Tripodi, Chair of the Board of Directors
Co-Chair Anderson assumed the gavel at 2:48 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:48 P.M.
_________________________________
Representative Rick Hansen, Co-Chair
_________________________________
Representative Paul Anderson, Co-Chair
___________________________________
Grace Johnson, Committee Legislative Assistant
___________________________________
Isabelle Warwas, Committee Legislative Assistant