STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FOURTH 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, March 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 Vang moved to approve the minutes from April 9, 2025. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Co-Vice Chair Smith assumed the gavel at 1:00 P.M.
HF 4080 (Hansen, R.); Certain retailers prohibited from obtaining an ownership interest in livestock dealers or meat packing companies, and certain exclusive contracts prohibited.
Co-Chair Hansen moved that HF 4080 be re-referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy.
Co-Chair Hansen moved the A3 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Hansen presented HF 4080, as amended.
Testifying:
• Robert Lopez, UFCW International
• Steve Barthel, Minnesota Grocers Association
• Leon Pleatz, Minnesota Farmers Union
Co-Chair Hansen renewed the motion that HF 4080, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Co-Chair Hansen assumed the gavel at 1:30 P.M.
HF 3693 (Lee, F.); Previous Department of Agriculture appropriation modified.
Representative Lee moved that HF 3693 be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative Lee moved the DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Lee presented HF 3693, as amended.
Testifying:
• April LeDoux, Chum Food Shelf
• Dan Zimmerli, Minnesota Farmers Union
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Kaylee Thornley, Grants Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Representative Lee renewed the motion that HF 3693, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative Lee requested a roll call on HF 3693 as amended.
The clerk took the roll on HF 3693 as amended:
AYES
Hansen
Smith
Agbaje
Frederick
Gottfried
Lee
Vang
NAYS
Anderson
Harder
Burkel
Gander
Jacob
Lawrence
Nelson
There being 7 ayes and 7 nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
HF 1857 (Smith); Cats; elective declawing of cats prohibited and civil penalties imposed.
Co-Chair Smith moved that HF 1857 be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.
Co-Chair Smith presented HF 1857.
Testifying:
• Ronald W. Gaskin, Main Street Veterinary Service
• Robert Memmen, Minnesota Veterinary Association
• Megan Hamilton, Basil’s Cradle
Co-Vice Chair Smith renewed the motion that HF 1857 be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Co-Chair Anderson requested a division.
The result of the division is as follows: 7 AYES and 7 NAYS. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Co-Vice Chair Smith assumed the gavel at 2:33 P.M.
HF 4350 (Hansen, R.); Agriculture policy provisions modified.
Co-Chair Hansen moved that HF 4350 be re-referred to the General Register.
Co-Chair Hansen moved the A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Hansen moved to orally amend HF 4350, as amended as follows:
Page 11, delete section 21
Page 12, delete section 22
Page 14, delete section 23
Co-Chair Hansen renewed the motion to orally amend HF 4350, as amended. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS INCORPORATED.
Co-Chair Hansen presented HF 4350, as amended.
Testifying:
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Anthony Cortilet, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Co-Chair Hansen moved that HF 4350 be laid over for possible inclusion. The bill was laid over.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 P.M.
Representative Rick Hansen, Co-Chair
Grace Johnson, Committee Legislative Assistant