1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to agriculture; requiring a study of dairy 
  1.3             farmers; appropriating money. 
  1.4   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.5      Section 1.  [DAIRY FARMING PROBLEM STATEMENT.] 
  1.6      Minnesota has experienced a dramatic downturn in milk 
  1.7   production and the reduced number of milk producers is 
  1.8   threatening the long-term viability of the dairy industry in the 
  1.9   state.  The purpose of this section is to improve the climate 
  1.10  for operating dairy farms of all sizes and types in Minnesota. 
  1.11  The study, report, and legislative recommendations authorized in 
  1.12  this section will increase the understanding by public officials 
  1.13  and the general public of the challenges and opportunities that 
  1.14  exist for Minnesota's dairy industry and provide public 
  1.15  officials with recommendations to improve the climate for dairy 
  1.16  farming.  The goal of the study and report is to provide a 
  1.17  strategic plan for Minnesota's residents and public officials to 
  1.18  make Minnesota the number one dairy state in the nation. 
  1.19     Sec. 2.  [COMMISSIONER TO STUDY, HOLD HEARINGS, AND REPORT 
  1.20  WITH RECOMMENDATIONS.] 
  1.21     (a) The commissioner of agriculture shall study, in 
  1.22  consultation with the chairs of the agriculture policy and 
  1.23  finance committees of the senate and the house of 
  1.24  representatives, the Minnesota Farmers Union, the Farm Bureau 
  2.1   Federation, the National Farmers Organization, and other 
  2.2   Minnesota farm organizations, the impact of current and 
  2.3   projected trends in dairy farming on Minnesota's dairy farmers 
  2.4   and processors and provide a strategic plan to make Minnesota 
  2.5   the number one dairy state in the nation. 
  2.6      (b) The commissioner shall hold at least five public 
  2.7   hearings in the agricultural regions of Minnesota on the 
  2.8   challenges and opportunities for Minnesota's dairy farmers.  At 
  2.9   each of the hearing locations, the commissioner may organize 
  2.10  tours of local dairy facilities of all varieties. 
  2.11     (c) Not later than February 15, 2000, the commissioner 
  2.12  shall report to the legislature on the findings of the study.  
  2.13  The report must include recommendations on improvements in state 
  2.14  laws and rules that are in the best interest of Minnesota's 
  2.15  dairy industry, environment, social climate, and family farming 
  2.16  operations.  The report must include: 
  2.17     (1) the impact of current trends on the economic, social, 
  2.18  and environmental conditions in rural Minnesota; 
  2.19     (2) the impact of the current laws on dairy farming in 
  2.20  Minnesota; 
  2.21     (3) the impact of current dairy farming trends on the 
  2.22  long-term viability of the dairy processing industry in 
  2.23  Minnesota; 
  2.24     (4) recommendations to provide for the financial success 
  2.25  and long-term sustainability of dairy farming in Minnesota; and 
  2.26     (5) recommendations on how state government can better 
  2.27  assist Minnesota's dairy farmers develop and use appropriate 
  2.28  technologies, including the upgrade of milking facilities, 
  2.29  rotational grazing, and other sustainable methods. 
  2.30     Sec. 3.  [APPROPRIATION; DAIRY FARMING STUDY AND REPORT.] 
  2.31     $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
  2.32  commissioner of agriculture for the dairy farming study required 
  2.33  under section 2.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 
  2.34  2000. 
  2.35     Sec. 4.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  2.36     Sections 1 to 3 are effective the day following final 
  3.1   enactment.