1.1A bill for an act1.2relating to appropriations; appropriating money to the Board of Regents for 1.3agricultural research; requiring a report.1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:1.5    Section 1. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL APPROPRIATION; 1.6AGRICULTURE.1.7    Subdivision 1.Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.The sums 1.8indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Regents of 1.9the University of Minnesota for the purposes and the fiscal years designated.1.10    Subd. 2.Agriculture special appropriation.$58,000,000 in fiscal year 2008 and 1.11$58,000,000 in fiscal year 2009 are for agricultural experiment stations, extension service, 1.12and research efforts that demonstrate a renewed emphasis on the needs of the state's 1.13production agriculture community and a continued focus on renewable energy derived 1.14from Minnesota biomass resources including agronomic crops, plant and animal wastes, 1.15and native plants or trees. Priority should be given to developing undergraduate and 1.16graduate programming related to renewable energy and agriculture production while 1.17maintaining current staff.1.18     In the area of production agriculture, priority should be given to projects pertaining 1.19to: extending the Minnesota vegetable growing season; alternative and pasture-based 1.20livestock operations; fertilizer and soil fertility research and development; treating and 1.21curing human diseases utilizing livestock cells; using biofuel production coproducts as 1.22feed for livestock; organic research and education; and a rapid agricultural response fund 1.23for current or emerging animal, plant, and insect problems affecting production or food 2.1safety.  In addition, the appropriation may be used to secure a facility and retain current 2.2faculty levels for poultry research currently conducted at UMore Park.2.3     In the area of renewable energy, priority should be given to projects pertaining to: 2.4biofuel and other energy production from small grains; alternative bioenergy crops and 2.5cropping systems; and growing, harvesting, and transporting biomass plant material. 2.6    Subd. 3.Report.No later than February 1, 2009, the Regents of the University of 2.7Minnesota or their authorized representative must report on the progress and outcomes of 2.8the research projects funded under this subdivision to the house and senate committees 2.9with jurisdiction over agricultural finance and higher education finance.