Minnesota Legislature
HF 710
1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:40am
Bill Text Versions
| Engrossments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Posted on 02/11/2009 | |
| 1st Engrossment | Posted on 03/19/2009 |
Current Version - 1st Engrossment
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A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; changing duties of the Food Safety and Defense Task
Force; changing membership and procedures of the Minnesota Organic Advisory
Task Force; eliminating language requiring two annual reports; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 28A.21, subdivision 5; 31.94; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 17.49, subdivision 3; 18G.12, subdivision 5.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 28A.21, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5.
Duties.
The task force shall:
(1) coordinate educational efforts regarding food safetynew text begin and defensenew text end ;
(2) provide advice and coordination to state agencies as requested by the agencies;
(3) serve as a source of information and referral for the public, news media, and
others concerned with food safetynew text begin and defensenew text end ; and
(4) make recommendations to Congress, the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over agriculture finance and policy, the legislature, and others about appropriate action to
improve food safety new text begin and defense new text end in the state.
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 31.94, is amended to read:
31.94 COMMISSIONER DUTIES.
(a) In order to promote opportunities for organic agriculture in Minnesota, the
commissioner shall:
(1) survey producers and support services and organizations to determine
information and research needs in the area of organic agriculture practices;
(2) work with the University of Minnesota to demonstrate the on-farm applicability
of organic agriculture practices to conditions in this state;
(3) direct the programs of the department so as to work toward the promotion of
organic agriculture in this state;
(4) inform agencies of how state or federal programs could utilize and support
organic agriculture practices; and
(5) work closely with producers, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Trade
Office, and other appropriate organizations to identify opportunities and needs as well
as ensure coordination and avoid duplication of state agency efforts regarding research,
teaching, marketing, and extension work relating to organic agriculture.
(b) By November 15 of each even-numbered year the commissioner, in conjunction
with the task force created in paragraph (c), shall report on the status of organic
agriculture in Minnesota to the legislative policy and finance committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over agriculture. The report must include:
(1) a description of current state or federal programs directed toward organic
agriculture, including significant results and experiences of those programs;
(2) a description of specific actions the department of agriculture is taking in the
area of organic agriculture, including the proportion of the department's budget spent on
organic agriculture;
(3) a description of current and future research needs at all levels in the area of
organic agriculture;
(4) suggestions for changes in existing programs or policies or enactment of new
programs or policies that will affect organic agriculture;
(5) a description of market trends and potential for organic products;
(6) available information, using currently reliable data, on the price received, yield,
and profitability of organic farms, and a comparison with data on conventional farms; and
(7) available information, using currently reliable data, on the positive and negative
impacts of organic production on the environment and human health.
(c) deleted text begin The commissioner shall appointdeleted text end A Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force deleted text begin todeleted text end new text begin
shallnew text end advise the commissionernew text begin and the University of Minnesotanew text end on policies and deleted text begin practices
todeleted text end new text begin programs that willnew text end improve organic agriculture in Minnesotanew text begin , including how available
resources can most effectively be used for outreach, education, research, and technical
assistance that meet the needs of the organic agriculture communitynew text end . The task force must
consist of the following residents of the state:
(1) three farmers using organic agriculture methods;
(2) two deleted text begin organic fooddeleted text end wholesalers, retailers, or distributorsnew text begin of organic productsnew text end ;
(3) one representative of organic deleted text begin fooddeleted text end certification agencies;
(4) two organic deleted text begin fooddeleted text end processors;
(5) one representative from deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin University ofnew text end Minnesota Extension deleted text begin Servicedeleted text end ;
(6) one deleted text begin representative from adeleted text end new text begin University ofnew text end Minnesota deleted text begin postsecondary research
institutiondeleted text end new text begin faculty membernew text end ;
(7) one representative from a nonprofit organization representing producers;
(8) deleted text begin onedeleted text end new text begin twonew text end at-large deleted text begin memberdeleted text end new text begin membersnew text end ;
(9) one representative from the United States Department of Agriculture; and
(10) one organic consumer representative.
new text begin
The commissioner, in consultation with the director of the Minnesota Agricultural
Experiment Station; the dean and director of University of Minnesota Extension; and the
dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences shall appoint
members to serve staggered two-year terms.
new text end
deleted text begin Terms,deleted text end Compensationdeleted text begin ,deleted text end and removal of members are governed by section 15.059,
subdivision 6. The task force must meet at least twice each year and expires on June
30, deleted text begin 2009deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end .
(d) For the purposes of expanding, improving, and developing production and
marketing of the organic products of Minnesota agriculture, the commissioner may
receive funds from state and federal sources and spend them, including through grants or
contracts, to assist producers and processors to achieve certification, to conduct education
or marketing activities, to enter into research and development partnerships, or to address
production or marketing obstacles to the growth and well-being of the industry.
(e) The commissioner may facilitate the registration of state organic production
and handling operations including those exempt from organic certification according to
Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 205.101, and certification agents operating
within the state.
Sec. 3. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 17.49, subdivision 3; and 18G.12, subdivision
5,
new text end
new text begin
are repealed.
new text end
Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end
new text begin
Section 2 is effective June 30, 2009.
new text end