HF 1075

1st Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing the Agricultural
Nutrient Task Force; requiring a report; appropriating
money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin AGRICULTURAL NUTRIENT TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin (a) There is created an Agricultural Nutrient Task Force
consisting of two members of the senate appointed by the chair
of the senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming; two
members of the house of representatives appointed by the chair
of the house Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and
at least 15 public members appointed by the commissioner of
agriculture. The public members must be broadly representative
of the diverse range of persons interested in and knowledgeable
about agricultural soil nutrients and must include
representatives of agricultural crop growers, fertilizer
retailers, soil nutrient consultants, and agricultural soil and
nutrient researchers. Public members of the task force must
serve without compensation or reimbursement of personal expenses.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of agriculture must convene the first
meeting of the task force and must provide office support
services to the task force as needed. The task force may
determine the date, location, and agenda of additional meetings.
new text end

new text begin (c) The task force must review and make recommendations on
at least the following topics and practices:
new text end

new text begin (1) the need for research, education, and training in the
selection and application of fertilizer and soil nutrients in
the state;
new text end

new text begin (2) the imposition of a tonnage fee on all agricultural
fertilizer applied in Minnesota and the designated uses of the
proceeds from the fee; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the desirability of amending statutes and rules that
apply to the selection, purchase, storage, and application of
fertilizer and soil nutrients, including the reasonableness of
rules for their on-farm storage.
new text end

new text begin (d) On behalf of the task force, not later than February
15, 2006, the commissioner of agriculture shall prepare and
deliver to the standing agriculture policy committees of the
senate and the house of representatives a report and list of
recommendations for changes in statutes and rules.
new text end

new text begin (e) The task force expires June 30, 2006.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; AGRICULTURAL NUTRIENT TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of agriculture in fiscal year 2006 for support of
the Agricultural Nutrient Task Force. Any of this appropriation
that remains unencumbered on July 1, 2006, cancels to the
general fund.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment
for purposes of making membership appointments to the
Agricultural Nutrient Task Force.
new text end