Agriculture data privacy bill passed by House

A bill meant to ensure certain agricultural research data collected by the University of Minnesota remains private was passed by the House 126-0 Monday.

Sponsored by Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake), HF2982, as amended, would strengthen data privacy rules for farmers who contribute information to the university’s research projects.

“The concern is that individuals will not participate in research studies if their identity is made public,” Hamilton said. “So [the bill is] to further the research that the [university] is trying to accomplish.”

Under the bill, data the university creates, collects or maintains on an agricultural analysis platform would be classified as private or nonpublic data, although that information could be disclosed with written permission from the individual or in response to a threat.

The bill now goes to the Senate where Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne) is the sponsor.