STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
MINUTES
Representative Harder, Vice Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM, on April 8th, 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 25th, 2026 be approved.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 2103 (Anderson, P.H.) Ammonia, hydrogen, and renewable energy certificate tracking system funding provided; reports required; and money appropriated.
The committee held an informational hearing on HF 2103.
Testifiers:
• Tristan Wilmes, Vice President of Agronomy, Central Farm Service
• Tristan Peitz, President, TalusAg
• Rob Davis, Chief Growth Officer, CleanCounts
• Rachel Stuckey, Minnesota Made Ammonia Coalition
• Anne Schwagerl, Vice President, Minnesota Farmers Union
• Darin Broton, Executive Director, Minnesota AgriGrowth Council
• Andrea Vaubel, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
HF 4508 (Heintzeman) Elk exempted from live Cervidae importation prohibition.
Representative Nelson moved HF 4508 before the committee.
Testifiers:
• Brenda Hartkopf, Minnesota Elk Breeders Association
• Pat Rivers, Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Division, Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources
Vice Chair Harder laid over HF 4508.
The following individuals gave the Minnesota Department of Agriculture update on farm safety, mental health, and farm advocates:
• Paul Hugunin, Director, Agriculture Marketing and Development, Minnesota
Department of Agriculture
• Meg Moynihan, Senior Advisor, Strategy & Partnerships, Minnesota Department of
Agriculture
• Thom Peterson, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
The meeting was adjourned at 2:43 PM.
Representative Paul Anderson, Chair
Isabelle Warwas, Committee Legislative Assistant