STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIFTH 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 1:00PM, on March 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 Burkel moved the minutes of March 18th, 2026 be approved.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3579 (Myers) Eggs allowed to be donated past their quality assurance date.
Chair Anderson moved that HF 3579 be placed on the General Register.
Testifiers:
• Jessica Francis, Executive Director, Open Cupboard
• Levi Muhl, Assistant Director, Dairy and Meat Inspection Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Chair Anderson renewed the motion that HF 3579 be placed on the General Register.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Vice-Chair Harder assumed the gavel at 1:14PM.
HF 3549 (Anderson) Use of the grain indemnity account modified.
Chair Anderson moved that HF 3549 be placed on the General Register.
Chair Anderson moved to adopt the H3549A1 amendment.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Anderson renewed the motion that HF 3549, as amended, be placed on the General Register and requested a roll call vote.
The results were as follows:
AYES
ANDERSON, Paul (GOP Co-Chair)
HARDER, Bobbie (GOP Co-Vice Chair)
BURKEL, John
GANDER, Steve
JACOB, Steve
LAWRENCE, Bryan
NELSON, Nathan
NAYS
HANSEN, Rick (DFL Co-Chair)
SMITH, Andy (DFL Co-Vice Chair)
AGBAJE, Esther
FREDERICK, Luke
GOTTFRIED, David
LEE, Fue
VANG, Samantha
On a vote of 7 AYES and 7 NAYS,
THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Vice-Chair Harder laid over HF 3549, as amended.
HF 3548 (Anderson) Farm Downpayment assistance program modified.
Chair Anderson moved HF 3548.
Chair Anderson moved the H3548DE1 amendment.
Chair Anderson moved to adopt the H3548A3 amendment to the H3548DE1 amendment.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Anderson moved to adopt the H3548DE1 amendment, as amended.
Testifiers:
• KaZoua Berry, Farm Director, Big River Farms
• Stu Lourey, Director of Government Affairs, Minnesota Farmers Union
• Laura Schreiber, Government Relations Director, Land Stewardship Project
Chair Anderson renewed the motion to adopt the H3548DE1 amendment as amended.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Co-Chair Harder laid over HF 3548, as amended.
Chair Anderson assumed the gavel at 2:10PM.
The committee held an informational hearing on HF XXXX (Revisor number 26-07984) clarifying plant and soil amendment labeling requirements; modifying the guaranteed analysis of soil and plan amendments.
Representative Harder gave the presentation on HF XXXX (Revisor number 26-07984).
Testifiers:
• Lee Helgen, Executive Director, Minnesota Crop Production Retailers
• David Beaudreau, D.C. Legislative & Regulatory Services, on behalf of the Biostimulant Council
• Peder Kjeseth, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Tricia Leaf, Manager, Pesticide and Fertilizer Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
HF 3566 (Harder) Crime for damage to farm machinery and equipment established, crime for trespasses on agricultural land established, and criminal penalties provided.
Vice-Chair Harder moved that HF 3566 be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
Representative Harder renewed the motion that HF 3566 be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 4388 (Nelson) Rotational grazing pilot program established, report required, and money appropriated.
Representative Nelson moved that HF 4388 be re-referred to the Committee on Environment & Natural Resources Finance and Policy.
Testifiers:
• Hannah Bernhardt, Medicine Creek Farm, Finlayson, MN; Minnesota Farmers Union
• Harvey, Student
• Hunter Pederson, Public Policy Specialist, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation
Representative Nelson renewed the motion that HF 4388 be re-referred to the Committee on Environment & Natural Resources Finance and Policy.
Co-Chair Hansen asked for a division.
On a vote of 7 AYES and 7 NAYS,
THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chair Anderson laid over HF 4388.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:39PM.
Representative Paul Anderson, Chair
Isabelle Warwas, Committee Legislative Assistant