STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
MINUTES
Representative Anderson, Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 12:59 PM, on February 23rd, 2026, in Room G3 of the State Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ANDERSON, Paul (GOP Co-Chair)
HANSEN, Rick (DFL Co-Chair)
HARDER, Bobbie (GOP Co-Vice Chair)
SMITH, Andy (DFL Co-Vice Chair)
AGBAJE, Esther
BURKEL, John
FREDERICK, Luke
GANDER, Steve
GOTTFRIED, David
JACOB, Steve
LAWRENCE, Bryan
LEE, Fue
NELSON, Nathan
VANG, Samantha
Representative Jacob moved the minutes of February 18th, 2026 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The following individuals gave the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development update:
• Bree Maki, Executive Director, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development
• Nathan Ratner, Legislative Liaison, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development
Representative Harder assumed the gavel at 1:41 PM.
HF 3548 (Anderson) Farm Downpayment Assistance Program Modified.
Chair Anderson moved HF 3548 before the committee.
Testifiers:
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Laura Schreiber, Government Relations Director, Land Stewardship Project
• Elyssa Eull, Farmer and Owner, California Street Farm
• Jenny Heck, Senior Program Administrator, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Vice Chair Harder laid over HF 3548.
HF 3549 (Anderson) Use of the Grain Indemnity Account Modified.
Chair Anderson moved HF 3549 before the committee.
Vice Chair Harder laid over HF 3549.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 PM.
Representative Paul Anderson, Chair
Isabelle Warwas, Committee Legislative Assistant