HF 4116

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; creating a task force to study University of Minnesota
licensing; reducing appropriations.

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

Section 1. new text begin UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LICENSING AND MINNESOTA
MARKET IMPACT STUDY.
new text end

new text begin The University of Minnesota shall establish a task force to study the market impact
on Minnesota producers of agricultural products from the University of Minnesota
licensing germplasm and to make recommendations to the legislature and the Board of
Regents on ways to mitigate any negative impacts on Minnesota businesses that arise from
University of Minnesota license agreements.
new text end

new text begin The task force must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a representative of the University of Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) a representative of the Department of Agriculture, serving as the chair; and
new text end

new text begin (3) representatives of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, the Minnesota Farmers Union,
agricultural commodity organizations, the Minnesota Apple Growers Association, the
Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, the Minnesota Nursery Landscape
Association, and the Minnesota Grown Program. The chair may also invite participation
from other staff and faculty of the University of Minnesota as necessary to fulfill the
purpose of the task force. Members serve on the task force on a voluntary basis.
new text end

new text begin The task force must, as a first priority, study the license agreement for the MN#1914
apple selection. The Board of Regents and the licensee are requested, in good faith, to
refrain from implementing the MN#1914 license until the task force has reported its
findings to the legislature with a mitigation plan approved by the task force. The task force
must report to the committees of the legislature with responsibility for higher education
no later than January 15, 2007.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Beginning in fiscal year 2007, appropriations from the general fund to the Board
of Regents are reduced by $1,000,000 each year. The reduction must be made from the
budget of the horticulture department.
new text end