1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; establishing a budget for the Department of Agriculture, 
1.3 	the Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute; 
1.4 	making policy and technical changes to various agriculture provisions; modifying 
1.5 	fees; creating accounts; creating a biofuels program and advisory committee; 
1.6 	extending and modifying the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act; appropriating money;
1.7 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 15.057; 17.055, subdivision 1, by 
1.8 	adding a subdivision; 17.1017, subdivisions 5, 6; 17.116, subdivision 2; 18B.26, 
1.9 	subdivision 3; 21.82, subdivision 3; 21.86, subdivision 2; 28A.08, by adding a 
1.10 	subdivision; 28A.09, by adding a subdivision; 28A.152, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5; 
1.11 	35.02, subdivision 1; 41A.16, subdivisions 2, 5, 6; 41A.17, subdivisions 2, 4, 5; 
1.12 	41A.18, subdivisions 2, 5; 41A.19; 41B.048, subdivisions 2, 4, 6; 583.215; 583.26, 
1.13 	subdivisions 4, 5, 8; 583.27, subdivision 3; Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 
1.14 	19; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 17; 21; 28A; 
1.15 	41A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41B.048, subdivision 8.
1.16 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.17 	ARTICLE 1
1.18 	AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS

1.19	Section 1. AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
1.20 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to agencies 
1.21 	for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, or 
1.22 	another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The 
1.23 	figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them 
1.24 	are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. "The 
1.25 	first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year" is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium" is 
1.26 	fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

1.27				APPROPRIATIONS
	
1.28				Available for the Year
	
2.1				Ending June 30
	
2.2					2022
		2023

2.3	Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

2.4	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	56,977,000
	$
	56,610,000

2.5	Appropriations by Fund
	
2.6		2022
	2023
	
2.7	General
	56,578,000
	56,211,000
	
2.8	Remediation
	399,000
	399,000
	
2.9 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.10 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.11 	subdivisions.

2.12	Subd. 2.Protection Services

2.13	Appropriations by Fund
	
2.14		2022
	2023
	
2.15	General
	15,750,000
	15,476,000
	
2.16	Remediation
	399,000
	399,000
	
2.17 	(a) $399,000 the first year and $399,000 the 
2.18 	second year are from the remediation fund for 
2.19 	administrative funding for the voluntary 
2.20 	cleanup program.
2.21 	(b) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the 
2.22 	second year are for compensation for 
2.23 	destroyed or crippled livestock under 
2.24 	Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737. The first 
2.25 	year appropriation may be spent to compensate 
2.26 	for livestock that were destroyed or crippled 
2.27 	during fiscal year 2021. If the amount in the 
2.28 	first year is insufficient, the amount in the 
2.29 	second year is available in the first year. The 
2.30 	commissioner may use up to $5,000 each year 
2.31 	to reimburse expenses incurred by university 
2.32 	extension educators to provide fair market 
2.33 	values of destroyed or crippled livestock. If 
2.34 	the commissioner receives federal dollars to 
2.35 	pay claims for destroyed or crippled livestock, 
3.1 	an equivalent amount of this appropriation 
3.2 	may be used to reimburse nonlethal prevention 
3.3 	methods performed by federal wildlife services 
3.4 	staff.
3.5 	(c) $155,000 the first year and $155,000 the 
3.6 	second year are for compensation for crop 
3.7 	damage under Minnesota Statutes, section 
3.8 	3.7371. If the amount in the first year is 
3.9 	insufficient, the amount in the second year is 
3.10 	available in the first year. The commissioner 
3.11 	may use up to $10,000 of the appropriation 
3.12 	each year to reimburse expenses incurred by 
3.13 	the commissioner or the commissioner's 
3.14 	approved agent to investigate and resolve 
3.15 	claims as well as for costs associated with 
3.16 	training for approved agents. The 
3.17 	commissioner may use up to $20,000 of the 
3.18 	appropriation each year to make grants to 
3.19 	producers for measures to protect stored crops 
3.20 	from elk damage.
3.21 	If the commissioner determines that claims 
3.22 	made under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737 
3.23 	or 3.7371, are unusually high, amounts 
3.24 	appropriated for either program may be 
3.25 	transferred to the appropriation for the other 
3.26 	program.
3.27 	(d) $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the 
3.28 	second year are for additional funding for the 
3.29 	noxious weed and invasive plant program.
3.30 	(e) $50,000 the first year is for additional 
3.31 	funding for the industrial hemp program for 
3.32 	IT development. This is a onetime 
3.33 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
3.34 	2023.
4.1 	(f) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the 
4.2 	second year are for additional funding for meat 
4.3 	and poultry inspection services.
4.4 	(g) $66,000 the first year and $66,000 the 
4.5 	second year are for additional funding to 
4.6 	replace capital equipment in the Department 
4.7 	of Agriculture's analytical laboratory.
4.8 	(h) $500,000 the first year is to establish a 
4.9 	climate smart farm endorsement for the 
4.10 	Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality 
4.11 	Certification Program that incentivizes and 
4.12 	quantifies climate-supportive farming 
4.13 	practices. This is a onetime appropriation and 
4.14 	is available until June 30, 2026.
4.15 	(i) $274,000 the first year and $550,000 the 
4.16 	second year are to maintain the current level 
4.17 	of service delivery.

4.18
4.19	Subd. 3.Agricultural Marketing and 
Development
 		4,510,000
		4,415,000
	
4.20 	(a) $186,000 the first year and $186,000 the 
4.21 	second year are for transfer to the Minnesota 
4.22 	grown account and may be used as grants for 
4.23 	Minnesota grown promotion under Minnesota 
4.24 	Statutes, section 17.102. Grants may be made 
4.25 	for one year. Notwithstanding Minnesota 
4.26 	Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations 
4.27 	encumbered under contract on or before June 
4.28 	30, 2023, for Minnesota grown grants in this 
4.29 	paragraph are available until June 30, 2025.
4.30 	(b) $100,000 the first year is to expand 
4.31 	international marketing opportunities for 
4.32 	farmers and value-added processors, including 
4.33 	in-market representation in Taiwan. This is a 
5.1 	onetime appropriation and is available until 
5.2 	June 30, 2023.
5.3 	(c) $634,000 the first year and $634,000 the 
5.4 	second year are for continuation of the dairy 
5.5 	development and profitability enhancement 
5.6 	programs including dairy profitability teams 
5.7 	and dairy business planning grants. The dairy 
5.8 	profitability enhancement teams shall provide 
5.9 	one-on-one assistance to all sizes of dairy 
5.10 	farms to enhance the financial success and 
5.11 	long-term sustainability of dairy farms in the 
5.12 	state. The teams may consist of farm business 
5.13 	management instructors, dairy extension 
5.14 	specialists, and other dairy industry partners 
5.15 	to deliver the informational and technical 
5.16 	assistance. Activities of the dairy teams must 
5.17 	be spread throughout the dairy producing 
5.18 	regions of the state. The commissioner must 
5.19 	make grants to regional or statewide 
5.20 	organizations qualified to manage the various 
5.21 	components of the teams. Each regional or 
5.22 	statewide organization must designate a 
5.23 	coordinator responsible for overseeing the 
5.24 	program and making required reports to the 
5.25 	commissioner. Dairy development and 
5.26 	profitability enhancement teams are 
5.27 	encouraged to engage in activities including 
5.28 	but not limited to comprehensive financial 
5.29 	analysis, risk management education, 
5.30 	enhanced milk marketing tools and 
5.31 	technologies, and production systems 
5.32 	including rotational grazing and other 
5.33 	sustainable agriculture methods. The regional 
5.34 	and statewide organizations that deliver the 
5.35 	dairy development and profitability 
5.36 	enhancement program must submit periodic 
6.1 	reports to the commissioner on the aggregate 
6.2 	changes in producer financial stability, 
6.3 	productivity, product quality, animal health, 
6.4 	environmental protection, and other 
6.5 	performance measures attributable to the 
6.6 	program in a format that maintains the 
6.7 	confidentiality of business information related 
6.8 	to any single dairy producer.
6.9 	The commissioner may award dairy planning 
6.10 	grants of up to $5,000 per producer to develop 
6.11 	comprehensive business plans. Grants must 
6.12 	not be used for capital improvements.
6.13 	The commissioner may allocate the available 
6.14 	sums among permissible activities, including 
6.15 	efforts to improve the quality of milk produced 
6.16 	in the state, in the proportions that the 
6.17 	commissioner deems most beneficial to 
6.18 	Minnesota's dairy farmers. The commissioner 
6.19 	must submit a detailed accomplishment report 
6.20 	and a work plan detailing future plans for, and 
6.21 	anticipated accomplishments from, 
6.22 	expenditures under this program to the chairs 
6.23 	and ranking minority members of the 
6.24 	legislative committees and divisions with 
6.25 	jurisdiction over agriculture policy and finance 
6.26 	on or before the start of each fiscal year. If 
6.27 	significant changes are made to the plans in 
6.28 	the course of the year, the commissioner must 
6.29 	notify the chairs and ranking minority 
6.30 	members.
6.31 	(d) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the 
6.32 	second year are for additional funding for 
6.33 	mental health outreach and support to farmers 
6.34 	and others in the agricultural community, 
6.35 	including a 24-hour hotline, stigma reduction, 
7.1 	and educational offerings. These are onetime 
7.2 	appropriations.
7.3 	(e) $100,000 the first year and $50,000 the 
7.4 	second year are for a pilot project creating 
7.5 	farmland access teams to provide technical 
7.6 	assistance to potential beginning farmers. The 
7.7 	farmland access teams must assist existing 
7.8 	farmers and beginning farmers on transitioning 
7.9 	farm ownership and operation. Teams may 
7.10 	include but are not limited to providing 
7.11 	mediation assistance, designing contracts, 
7.12 	financial planning, tax preparation, estate 
7.13 	planning, and housing assistance. Of this 
7.14 	amount, up to $50,000 the first year may be 
7.15 	used to upgrade the Minnesota FarmLink web 
7.16 	application that connects farmers looking for 
7.17 	land with farmers looking to transition their 
7.18 	land. These are onetime appropriations.
7.19 	(f) $10,000 the first year and $10,000 the 
7.20 	second year are for transfer to the emerging 
7.21 	farmer account under Minnesota Statutes, 
7.22 	section 17.055, subdivision 1a.
7.23 	(g) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
7.24 	second year are to establish an emerging 
7.25 	farmer office and hire a full-time emerging 
7.26 	farmer outreach coordinator. The emerging 
7.27 	farmer outreach coordinator must engage and 
7.28 	support emerging farmers regarding resources 
7.29 	and opportunities available throughout the 
7.30 	Department of Agriculture and the state. For 
7.31 	purposes of this paragraph, "emerging farmer" 
7.32 	has the meaning provided in Minnesota 
7.33 	Statutes, section 17.055, subdivision 1.  Of the 
7.34 	amount appropriated each year, $25,000 is for 
7.35 	translation services.
8.1 	(h) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
8.2 	second year are for the farm safety grant and 
8.3 	outreach programs under Minnesota Statutes, 
8.4 	section 17.1195. These are onetime 
8.5 	appropriations.
8.6 	(i) $54,000 the first year and $109,000 the 
8.7 	second year are to maintain the current level 
8.8 	of service delivery.
8.9 	(j) The commissioner may use funds 
8.10 	appropriated in this subdivision for annual 
8.11 	cost-share payments to resident farmers or 
8.12 	entities that sell, process, or package 
8.13 	agricultural products in this state for the costs 
8.14 	of organic certification. The commissioner 
8.15 	may allocate these funds for assistance to 
8.16 	persons transitioning from conventional to 
8.17 	organic agriculture.

8.18
8.19	Subd. 4.Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Bioproduct 
Advancement
 		26,904,000
		26,917,000
	
8.20 	(a) $9,300,000 the first year and $9,300,000 
8.21 	the second year are for transfer to the 
8.22 	agriculture research, education, extension, and 
8.23 	technology transfer account under Minnesota 
8.24 	Statutes, section 41A.14, subdivision 3. Of 
8.25 	these amounts: at least $600,000 the first year 
8.26 	and $600,000 the second year are for the 
8.27 	Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station's 
8.28 	agriculture rapid response under Minnesota 
8.29 	Statutes, section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clause 
8.30 	(2); $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 
8.31 	the second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
8.32 	Agriculture Education Leadership Council to 
8.33 	enhance agricultural education with priority 
8.34 	given to Farm Business Management 
8.35 	challenge grants; $350,000 the first year and 
9.1 	$350,000 the second year are for potato 
9.2 	breeding; and $450,000 the first year and 
9.3 	$450,000 the second year are for the cultivated 
9.4 	wild rice breeding project at the North Central 
9.5 	Research and Outreach Center to include a 
9.6 	tenure track/research associate plant breeder. 
9.7 	The commissioner shall transfer the remaining 
9.8 	funds in this appropriation each year to the 
9.9 	Board of Regents of the University of 
9.10 	Minnesota for purposes of Minnesota Statutes, 
9.11 	section 41A.14. Of the amount transferred to 
9.12 	the Board of Regents, up to $1,000,000 each 
9.13 	year is for research on avian influenza, 
9.14 	salmonella, and other turkey-related diseases.
9.15 	To the extent practicable, money expended 
9.16 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14, 
9.17 	subdivision 1, clauses (1) and (2), must 
9.18 	supplement and not supplant existing sources 
9.19 	and levels of funding. The commissioner may 
9.20 	use up to one percent of this appropriation for 
9.21 	costs incurred to administer the program.
9.22 	(b) $15,589,000 the first year and $15,588,000 
9.23 	the second year are for the agricultural growth, 
9.24 	research, and innovation program in 
9.25 	Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12. Except 
9.26 	as provided below, the commissioner may 
9.27 	allocate the appropriation each year among 
9.28 	the following areas: facilitating the start-up, 
9.29 	modernization, improvement, or expansion of 
9.30 	livestock operations including beginning and 
9.31 	transitioning livestock operations with 
9.32 	preference given to robotic dairy-milking 
9.33 	equipment; providing funding not to exceed 
9.34 	$800,000 each year to develop and enhance 
9.35 	farm-to-school markets for Minnesota farmers 
10.1 	by providing more fruits, vegetables, meat, 
10.2 	grain, and dairy for Minnesota children in 
10.3 	school and child care settings including, at the 
10.4 	commissioner's discretion, reimbursing 
10.5 	schools for purchases from local farmers; 
10.6 	assisting value-added agricultural businesses 
10.7 	to begin or expand, to access new markets, or 
10.8 	to diversify, including aquaponics systems; 
10.9 	providing funding not to exceed $600,000 
10.10 	each year for urban youth agricultural 
10.11 	education or urban agriculture community 
10.12 	development; providing funding not to exceed 
10.13 	$600,000 each year for the good food access 
10.14 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
10.15 	17.1017; facilitating the start-up, 
10.16 	modernization, or expansion of other 
10.17 	beginning and transitioning farms including 
10.18 	by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes, 
10.19 	section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture 
10.20 	on-farm research and demonstration; 
10.21 	development or expansion of food hubs and 
10.22 	other alternative community-based food 
10.23 	distribution systems; enhancing renewable 
10.24 	energy infrastructure and use; crop research; 
10.25 	Farm Business Management tuition assistance; 
10.26 	and good agricultural practices and good 
10.27 	handling practices certification assistance. The 
10.28 	commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of 
10.29 	this appropriation for costs incurred to 
10.30 	administer the program.
10.31 	Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural 
10.32 	growth, research, and innovation program in 
10.33 	Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:
10.34 	(1) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
10.35 	the second year are for distribution in equal 
11.1 	amounts to each of the state's county fairs to 
11.2 	preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture;
11.3 	(2) $4,000,000 the first year and $4,000,000 
11.4 	the second year are for incentive payments 
11.5 	under Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16, 
11.6 	41A.17, and 41A.18. Notwithstanding 
11.7 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the first 
11.8 	year appropriation is available until June 30, 
11.9 	2023, and the second year appropriation is 
11.10 	available until June 30, 2024. If this 
11.11 	appropriation exceeds the total amount for 
11.12 	which all producers are eligible in a fiscal 
11.13 	year, the balance of the appropriation is 
11.14 	available for the agricultural growth, research, 
11.15 	and innovation program. The base amount for 
11.16 	the allocation under this clause is $4,000,000 
11.17 	in fiscal year 2024 and later; and
11.18 	(3) up to $1,000,000 the first year is for grants 
11.19 	to facilitate the start-up, modernization, or 
11.20 	expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk 
11.21 	processing facilities.
11.22 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
11.23 	16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not 
11.24 	cancel at the end of the first year and is 
11.25 	available for the second year, and 
11.26 	appropriations encumbered under contract on 
11.27 	or before June 30, 2023, for agricultural 
11.28 	growth, research, and innovation grants are 
11.29 	available until June 30, 2026.
11.30 	The base amount for the agricultural growth, 
11.31 	research, and innovation program is 
11.32 	$15,584,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
11.33 	$15,584,000 in fiscal year 2025, and includes 
11.34 	funding for incentive payments under 
12.1 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16, 41A.17, 
12.2 	and 41A.18.
12.3 	(c) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 
12.4 	the second year are for a biofuels infrastructure 
12.5 	financial assistance program.  Notwithstanding 
12.6 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the 
12.7 	appropriations encumbered under contract for 
12.8 	grants on or before June 30, 2023, are 
12.9 	available until June 30, 2027. Of this amount, 
12.10 	$100,000 each year is for the administration 
12.11 	of the biofuels infrastructure financial 
12.12 	assistance program.
12.13 	(d) $15,000 the first year and $29,000 the 
12.14 	second year are to maintain the current level 
12.15 	of service delivery.
12.16 	(e) No later than February 1, 2023, the 
12.17 	commissioner must report equity data and 
12.18 	outcomes for the agriculture research, 
12.19 	education, extension, and technology transfer 
12.20 	program and the agricultural growth, research, 
12.21 	and innovation program to the legislative 
12.22 	committees with jurisdiction over agriculture 
12.23 	finance.

12.24
12.25	Subd. 5.Administration and Financial 
Assistance
 		9,414,000
		9,403,000
	
12.26 	(a) $474,000 the first year and $474,000 the 
12.27 	second year are for payments to county and 
12.28 	district agricultural societies and associations 
12.29 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02, 
12.30 	subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and 
12.31 	district agricultural societies and associations 
12.32 	shall be disbursed no later than July 15 of each 
12.33 	year. These payments are the amount of aid 
12.34 	from the state for an annual fair held in the 
12.35 	previous calendar year.
13.1 	(b) $287,000 the first year and $287,000 the 
13.2 	second year are for farm advocate services.
13.3 	(c) $238,000 the first year and $238,000 the 
13.4 	second year are for transfer to the Board of 
13.5 	Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and 
13.6 	Universities for statewide mental health 
13.7 	counseling support to farm families and 
13.8 	business operators through the Minnesota State 
13.9 	Agricultural Centers of Excellence. South 
13.10 	Central College and Central Lakes College 
13.11 	shall serve as the fiscal agents.
13.12 	(d) $1,650,000 the first year and $1,650,000 
13.13 	the second year are for grants to Second 
13.14 	Harvest Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's 
13.15 	six Feeding America food banks for the 
13.16 	following:
13.17 	(1) to purchase milk for distribution to 
13.18 	Minnesota's food shelves and other charitable 
13.19 	organizations that are eligible to receive food 
13.20 	from the food banks. Milk purchased under 
13.21 	the grants must be acquired from Minnesota 
13.22 	milk processors and based on low-cost bids. 
13.23 	The milk must be allocated to each Feeding 
13.24 	America food bank serving Minnesota 
13.25 	according to the formula used in the 
13.26 	distribution of United States Department of 
13.27 	Agriculture commodities under The 
13.28 	Emergency Food Assistance Program. Second 
13.29 	Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts or 
13.30 	agreements with food banks for shared funding 
13.31 	or reimbursement of the direct purchase of 
13.32 	milk. Each food bank that receives funding 
13.33 	under this clause may use up to two percent 
13.34 	for administrative expenses;
14.1 	(2) to compensate agricultural producers and 
14.2 	processors for costs incurred to harvest and 
14.3 	package for transfer surplus fruits, vegetables, 
14.4 	and other agricultural commodities that would 
14.5 	otherwise go unharvested, be discarded, or 
14.6 	sold in a secondary market. Surplus 
14.7 	commodities must be distributed statewide to 
14.8 	food shelves and other charitable organizations 
14.9 	that are eligible to receive food from the food 
14.10 	banks. Surplus food acquired under this clause 
14.11 	must be from Minnesota producers and 
14.12 	processors. Second Harvest Heartland may 
14.13 	use up to 15 percent of each grant awarded 
14.14 	under this clause for administrative and 
14.15 	transportation expenses; and
14.16 	(3) to purchase and distribute protein products, 
14.17 	including but not limited to pork, poultry, beef, 
14.18 	dry legumes, cheese, and eggs to Minnesota's 
14.19 	food shelves and other charitable organizations 
14.20 	that are eligible to receive food from the food 
14.21 	banks. Second Harvest Heartland may use up 
14.22 	to two percent of each grant awarded under 
14.23 	this clause for administrative expenses. Protein 
14.24 	products purchased under the grants must be 
14.25 	acquired from Minnesota processors and 
14.26 	producers.
14.27 	Of the amount appropriated under this 
14.28 	paragraph, at least $600,000 each year must 
14.29 	be allocated under clause (1). Notwithstanding 
14.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any 
14.31 	unencumbered balance the first year does not 
14.32 	cancel and is available in the second year. 
14.33 	Second Harvest Heartland must submit 
14.34 	quarterly reports to the commissioner and the 
14.35 	chairs and ranking minority members of the 
15.1 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
15.2 	agriculture finance in the form prescribed by 
15.3 	the commissioner. The reports must include 
15.4 	but are not limited to information on the 
15.5 	expenditure of funds, the amount of milk or 
15.6 	other commodities purchased, and the 
15.7 	organizations to which this food was 
15.8 	distributed.
15.9 	(e) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
15.10 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
15.11 	Agricultural Education and Leadership 
15.12 	Council for programs of the council under 
15.13 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D.
15.14 	(f) The commissioner shall continue to 
15.15 	increase connections with ethnic minority and 
15.16 	immigrant farmers to farming opportunities 
15.17 	and farming programs throughout the state.
15.18 	(g) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
15.19 	the second year are for transfer to the 
15.20 	agricultural and environmental revolving loan 
15.21 	account established under Minnesota Statutes, 
15.22 	section 17.117, subdivision 5a, for low-interest 
15.23 	loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 
15.24 	17.117. These are onetime transfers.
15.25 	(h) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
15.26 	second year are for grants to the Center for 
15.27 	Rural Policy and Development. These are 
15.28 	onetime appropriations.
15.29 	(i) $47,000 the first year and $47,000 the 
15.30 	second year are for grants to the Northern 
15.31 	Crops Institute that may be used to purchase 
15.32 	equipment. These are onetime appropriations.
15.33 	(j) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the 
15.34 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
16.1 	Turf Seed Council for basic and applied 
16.2 	research on: (1) the improved production of 
16.3 	forage and turf seed related to new and 
16.4 	improved varieties; and (2) native plants, 
16.5 	including plant breeding, nutrient 
16.6 	management, pest management, disease 
16.7 	management, yield, and viability. The 
16.8 	Minnesota Turf Seed Council may subcontract 
16.9 	with a qualified third party for some or all of 
16.10 	the basic or applied research. Any 
16.11 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
16.12 	end of the first year and is available for the 
16.13 	second year. These are onetime appropriations.
16.14 	(k) $1,000 the first year and $1,000 the second 
16.15 	year are for grants to the Minnesota State 
16.16 	Poultry Association. These are onetime 
16.17 	appropriations.
16.18 	(l) $17,000 the first year and $17,000 the 
16.19 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
16.20 	State Horticultural Society. These are onetime 
16.21 	appropriations.
16.22 	(m) $18,000 the first year and $18,000 the 
16.23 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
16.24 	Livestock Breeders Association. These are 
16.25 	onetime appropriations.
16.26 	(n) $325,000 the first year and $325,000 the 
16.27 	second year are for transfer to the Minnesota 
16.28 	Humanities Center for the healthy eating, here 
16.29 	at home program under Minnesota Statutes, 
16.30 	section 138.912. Participating nonprofit 
16.31 	organizations may receive up to three percent 
16.32 	of the amount transferred each year for 
16.33 	program administration costs.
17.1 	(o) $75,000 the first year is for a grant to 
17.2 	Greater Mankato Growth, Inc., for assistance 
17.3 	to agriculture-related businesses to promote 
17.4 	jobs, innovation, and synergy development. 
17.5 	This is a onetime appropriation.
17.6 	(p) $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the 
17.7 	second year are for grants to the Southern 
17.8 	Minnesota Initiative Foundation to promote 
17.9 	local foods through an annual event that raises 
17.10 	public awareness of local foods and connects 
17.11 	local food producers and processors with 
17.12 	potential buyers.
17.13 	(q) $222,000 the first year and $286,000 the 
17.14 	second year are to maintain the current level 
17.15 	of service delivery.

17.16	Sec. 3. BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH
 	$
	5,980,000
	$
	6,081,000
	
17.17 	(a) $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the 
17.18 	second year are for agricultural emergency 
17.19 	preparedness and response.
17.20 	(b) $103,000 the first year and $204,000 the 
17.21 	second year are to maintain the current level 
17.22 	of service delivery.

17.23
17.24	Sec. 4. AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION 
RESEARCH INSTITUTE
 	$
	4,043,000
	$
	4,043,000
	
17.25 	$150,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
17.26 	second year are for a meat scientist.

17.27 	Sec. 5. CANCELLATIONS.
 17.28 	(a) $916,553 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for protection services 
17.29 	under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, is 
17.30 	canceled.
17.31 	(b) $136,000 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for agricultural marketing 
17.32 	and development under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 2, 
17.33 	subdivision 3, is canceled.
18.1 	(c) $120,000 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for agriculture, bioenergy, 
18.2 	and bioproduct advancement under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, 
18.3 	section 2, subdivision 4, is canceled.
18.4 	(d) $157,500 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for administration and 
18.5 	financial assistance under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 2, 
18.6 	subdivision 5, is canceled.

18.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

18.8 	Sec. 6. FEDERAL FUNDS REPLACEMENT; APPROPRIATION.
 18.9 	Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner of management and budget 
18.10 	must determine whether the expenditures authorized under this act are eligible uses of federal 
18.11 	funding received under the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund or any other federal 
18.12 	funds received by the state under the American Rescue Plan Act, Public Law 117-2. If the 
18.13 	commissioner of management and budget determines an expenditure is eligible for funding 
18.14 	under Public Law 117-2, the amount of the eligible expenditure is appropriated from the 
18.15 	account or fund where those amounts have been deposited and the corresponding general 
18.16 	fund amounts appropriated under this act are canceled to the general fund. No later than 
18.17 	February 1, 2022, the commissioner of agriculture, in consultation with the commissioner 
18.18 	of management and budget, must report all appropriations, cancellations, and expenditures 
18.19 	under this section to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.

18.20 	ARTICLE 2
18.21 	AGRICULTURE STATUTORY CHANGES

18.22 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 15.057, is amended to read:
18.23 	15.057 PUBLICITY REPRESENTATIVES.
18.24 	No state department, bureau, or division, whether the same operates on funds appropriated 
18.25 	or receipts or fees of any nature whatsoever, except the Department of Transportation, the 
18.26 	Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Department of Agriculture, 
18.27 	the Game and Fish Division, State Agricultural Society, and Explore Minnesota Tourism 
18.28 	shall use any of such funds for the payment of the salary or expenses of a publicity 
18.29 	representative. The head of any such department, bureau, or division shall be personally 
18.30 	liable for funds used contrary to this provision. This section shall not be construed, however, 
18.31 	as preventing any such department, bureau, or division from sending out any bulletins or 
19.1 	other publicity required by any state law or necessary for the satisfactory conduct of the 
19.2 	business for which such department, bureau, or division was created.

19.3 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.4 		Subdivision 1.Emerging farmer working group. (a) To advise the commissioner and 
19.5 	legislature regarding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives that 
19.6 	support emerging farmers in this state, the commissioner must periodically convene a 
19.7 	working group consisting, to the extent possible, of persons who are, and organizations that 
19.8 	represent, farmers or aspiring farmers who are women, veterans, persons with disabilities, 
19.9 	American Indian or Alaskan Natives, members of a community of color, young, and urban, 
19.10 	and any other emerging farmers as determined by the commissioner. No later than January 
19.11 	15 each year, the commissioner must update the chairs and ranking minority members of 
19.12 	the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture regarding the 
19.13 	working group's activities and recommendations.
19.14 	(b) The commissioner may accept on behalf of the state donations of money, services, 
19.15 	or other assistance or gifts from public or private sources to further the objectives of the 
19.16 	emerging farmer working group.

19.17 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
19.18 	read:
19.19 		Subd. 1a.Emerging farmer account. An emerging farmer account is established in the 
19.20 	agricultural fund. The account consists of money appropriated by law and any other money 
19.21 	donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. Money in the account, 
19.22 	including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section and 
19.23 	must be used to further the objectives of the emerging farmer working group.

19.24 	Sec. 4. [17.1016] COOPERATIVE GRANTS.
19.25 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section:
19.26 	(1) "agricultural commodity" and "agricultural product processing facility" have the 
19.27 	meanings given in section 17.101, subdivision 5; and
19.28 	(2) "agricultural service" means an action made under the direction of a farmer that 
19.29 	provides value to another entity. Agricultural service includes grazing to manage vegetation.
19.30 		Subd. 2.Grant program. (a) The commissioner must establish and implement a grant 
19.31 	program to help farmers finance new cooperatives that organize for purposes of operating 
20.1 	an agricultural product processing facility or marketing an agricultural product or agricultural 
20.2 	service.
20.3 	(b) To be eligible for this program, a grantee must:
20.4 	(1) be a cooperative organized under chapter 308A;
20.5 	(2) certify that all control and equity in the cooperative is from farmers, family farm 
20.6 	partnerships, family farm limited liability companies, or family farm corporations as defined 
20.7 	in section 500.24, subdivision 2, who are actively engaged in agricultural commodity 
20.8 	production;
20.9 	(3) be operated primarily to process agricultural commodities or market agricultural 
20.10 	products or services produced in Minnesota; and
20.11 	(4) receive agricultural commodities produced primarily by shareholders or members 
20.12 	of the cooperative.
20.13 	(c) The commissioner may receive applications and make grants up to $50,000 to eligible 
20.14 	grantees for feasibility, marketing analysis, assistance with organizational development, 
20.15 	financing and managing new cooperatives, product development, development of business 
20.16 	and marketing plans, and predesign of facilities including site analysis, development of bid 
20.17 	specifications, preliminary blueprints and schematics, and completion of purchase agreements 
20.18 	and other necessary legal documents.

20.19 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.1017, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
20.20 		Subd. 5.Eligible projects. (a) The commissioner, in cooperation with the program 
20.21 	partners and advisers, shall establish project eligibility guidelines and application processes 
20.22 	to be used to review and select project applicants for financing or other financial or technical 
20.23 	assistance. All projects must be located in an underserved community or must serve primarily 
20.24 	underserved communities in low-income and moderate-income areas.
20.25 	(b) Projects eligible for financing include, but are not limited to, new construction, 
20.26 	renovations, expansions of operations, and infrastructure upgrades of grocery stores and 
20.27 	small food retailers to improve the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious food, 
20.28 	including fresh fruits and vegetables, and build capacity in areas of greatest need.
20.29 	(c) Projects eligible for other types of financial assistance such as grants or technical 
20.30 	assistance are primarily projects throughout the state, including, but not limited to, feasibility 
20.31 	studies, new construction, renovations, expansion of operations, and infrastructure upgrades 
20.32 	of small food retailers.

21.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.1017, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
21.2 		Subd. 6.Qualifications for receipt of financing and other financial or technical 
21.3 	assistance. (a) An applicant for receipt of financing through an economic or community 
21.4 	development financial institution, or an applicant for a grant or other financial or technical 
21.5 	assistance, may be a for-profit or not-for-profit entity, including, but not limited to, a sole 
21.6 	proprietorship, limited liability company, corporation, cooperative, nonprofit organization, 
21.7 	or nonprofit community development organization. Each applicant must:
21.8 	(1) demonstrate community engagement in and support for the project;
21.9 	(2) demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement the project;
21.10 	(3) demonstrate a viable plan for long-term sustainability, including the ability to increase 
21.11 	the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food, 
21.12 	including fresh fruits and vegetables, for underserved communities in low-income and 
21.13 	moderate-income areas; and
21.14 	(4) demonstrate the ability to repay the debt, to the extent that the financing requires 
21.15 	repayment.
21.16 	(b) Each applicant must also agree to comply with the following conditions for a period 
21.17 	of at least five years, except as otherwise specified in this section:
21.18 	(1) accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits;
21.19 	(2) apply to accept Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and 
21.20 	Children (WIC) benefits and, if approved, accept WIC benefits;
21.21 	(3) (2) allocate at least 30 percent of retail space for the sale of affordable, nutritious, 
21.22 	and culturally appropriate foods, including fruits and vegetables, low-fat and nonfat dairy, 
21.23 	fortified dairy substitute beverages such as soy-based or nut-based dairy substitute beverages, 
21.24 	whole grain-rich staple foods, meats, poultry, fish, seafood, and other proteins, consistent 
21.25 	with nutrition standards in national guidelines described in the current United States 
21.26 	Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans;
21.27 	(4) (3) comply with all data collection and reporting requirements established by the 
21.28 	commissioner; and
21.29 	(5) (4) promote the hiring, training, and retention of local or regional residents from 
21.30 	low-income and moderate-income areas that reflect area demographics, including 
21.31 	communities of color.
22.1 	(c) A selected project that is a small food retailer is not subject to the allocation agreement 
22.2 	under paragraph (b), clause (3) (2), and may use financing, grants, or other financial or 
22.3 	technical assistance for refrigeration, displays, or onetime capital expenditures for the 
22.4 	promotion and sale of perishable foods, including a combination of affordable, nutritious, 
22.5 	and culturally appropriate fresh or frozen dairy, dairy substitute products, produce, meats, 
22.6 	poultry, and fish, consistent with nutrition standards in national guidelines described in the 
22.7 	current United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

22.8 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.116, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
22.9 		Subd. 2.Eligibility. (a) Grants may only be made to farmers, educational institutions, 
22.10 	individuals at educational institutions, or nonprofit organizations residing or located in the 
22.11 	state for research or demonstrations on farms in the state.
22.12 	(b) Grants may only be made for projects that show:
22.13 	(1) the ability to maximize direct or indirect energy savings or production;
22.14 	(2) a positive effect or reduced adverse effect on the environment; and or
22.15 	(3) increased profitability for the individual farm by reducing costs or improving 
22.16 	marketing opportunities.

22.17 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 18B.26, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
22.18 		Subd. 3.Registration application and gross sales fee. (a) For an agricultural pesticide, 
22.19 	a registrant shall pay an annual registration application fee for each agricultural pesticide 
22.20 	of $350. The fee is due by December 31 preceding the year for which the application for 
22.21 	registration is made. The fee is nonrefundable.
22.22 	(b) For a nonagricultural pesticide, a registrant shall pay a minimum annual registration 
22.23 	application fee for each nonagricultural pesticide of $350. The fee is due by December 31 
22.24 	preceding the year for which the application for registration is made. The fee is 
22.25 	nonrefundable. If the registrant's annual gross sales of the nonagricultural pesticide exceeded 
22.26 	$70,000 in the previous calendar year, the registrant shall pay, in addition to the $350 
22.27 	minimum fee, a fee equal to 0.5 0.9 percent of that portion of the annual gross sales over 
22.28 	$70,000. For purposes of this subdivision, gross sales includes both nonagricultural pesticide 
22.29 	sold in the state and nonagricultural pesticide sold into the state for use in this state. No 
22.30 	additional fee is required if the fee due amount based on percent of annual gross sales of a 
22.31 	nonagricultural pesticide is less than $10. The registrant shall secure sufficient sales 
22.32 	information of nonagricultural pesticides distributed into this state from distributors and 
23.1 	dealers, regardless of distributor location, to make a determination. Sales of nonagricultural 
23.2 	pesticides in this state and sales of nonagricultural pesticides for use in this state by 
23.3 	out-of-state distributors are not exempt and must be included in the registrant's annual report, 
23.4 	as required under paragraph (g), and fees shall be paid by the registrant based upon those 
23.5 	reported sales. Sales of nonagricultural pesticides in the state for use outside of the state are 
23.6 	exempt from the gross sales fee in this paragraph if the registrant properly documents the 
23.7 	sale location and distributors. A registrant paying more than the minimum fee shall pay the 
23.8 	balance due by March 1 based on the gross sales of the nonagricultural pesticide by the 
23.9 	registrant for the preceding calendar year. A pesticide determined by the commissioner to 
23.10 	be a sanitizer or disinfectant is exempt from the gross sales fee.
23.11 	(c) For agricultural pesticides, a licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or licensed pesticide 
23.12 	dealer shall pay a gross sales fee of 0.55 0.9 percent of annual gross sales of the agricultural 
23.13 	pesticide in the state and the annual gross sales of the agricultural pesticide sold into the 
23.14 	state for use in this state.
23.15 	(d) In those cases where a registrant first sells an agricultural pesticide in or into the 
23.16 	state to a pesticide end user, the registrant must first obtain an agricultural pesticide dealer 
23.17 	license and is responsible for payment of the annual gross sales fee under paragraph (c), 
23.18 	record keeping under paragraph (i), and all other requirements of section 18B.316.
23.19 	(e) If the total annual revenue from fees collected in fiscal year 2011, 2012, or 2013, by 
23.20 	the commissioner on the registration and sale of pesticides is less than $6,600,000, the 
23.21 	commissioner, after a public hearing, may increase proportionally the pesticide sales and 
23.22 	product registration fees under this chapter by the amount necessary to ensure this level of 
23.23 	revenue is achieved. The authority under this section expires on June 30, 2014. The 
23.24 	commissioner shall report any fee increases under this paragraph 60 days before the fee 
23.25 	change is effective to the senate and house of representatives agriculture budget divisions.
23.26 	(f)(e) An additional fee of 50 percent of the registration application fee must be paid 
23.27 	by the applicant for each pesticide to be registered if the application is a renewal application 
23.28 	that is submitted after December 31.
23.29 	(g) (f) A registrant must annually report to the commissioner the amount, type and annual 
23.30 	gross sales of each registered nonagricultural pesticide sold, offered for sale, or otherwise 
23.31 	distributed in the state. The report shall be filed by March 1 for the previous year's 
23.32 	registration. The commissioner shall specify the form of the report or approve the method 
23.33 	for submittal of the report and may require additional information deemed necessary to 
23.34 	determine the amount and type of nonagricultural pesticide annually distributed in the state. 
24.1 	The information required shall include the brand name, United States Environmental 
24.2 	Protection Agency registration number, and amount of each nonagricultural pesticide sold, 
24.3 	offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in the state, but the information collected, if made 
24.4 	public, shall be reported in a manner which does not identify a specific brand name in the 
24.5 	report.
24.6 	(h) (g) A licensed agricultural pesticide dealer or licensed pesticide dealer must annually 
24.7 	report to the commissioner the amount, type, and annual gross sales of each registered 
24.8 	agricultural pesticide sold, offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in the state or into the 
24.9 	state for use in the state. The report must be filed by January 31 for the previous year's sales. 
24.10 	The commissioner shall specify the form, contents, and approved electronic method for 
24.11 	submittal of the report and may require additional information deemed necessary to determine 
24.12 	the amount and type of agricultural pesticide annually distributed within the state or into 
24.13 	the state. The information required must include the brand name, United States Environmental 
24.14 	Protection Agency registration number, and amount of each agricultural pesticide sold, 
24.15 	offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in the state or into the state.
24.16 	(i) (h) A person who registers a pesticide with the commissioner under paragraph (b), 
24.17 	or a registrant under paragraph (d), shall keep accurate records for five years detailing all 
24.18 	distribution or sales transactions into the state or in the state and subject to a fee and surcharge 
24.19 	under this section.
24.20 	(j) (i) The records are subject to inspection, copying, and audit by the commissioner and 
24.21 	must clearly demonstrate proof of payment of all applicable fees and surcharges for each 
24.22 	registered pesticide product sold for use in this state. A person who is located outside of 
24.23 	this state must maintain and make available records required by this subdivision in this state 
24.24 	or pay all costs incurred by the commissioner in the inspecting, copying, or auditing of the 
24.25 	records.
24.26 	(k) (j) The commissioner may adopt by rule regulations that require persons subject to 
24.27 	audit under this section to provide information determined by the commissioner to be 
24.28 	necessary to enable the commissioner to perform the audit.
24.29 	(l) (k) A registrant who is required to pay more than the minimum fee for any pesticide 
24.30 	under paragraph (b) must pay a late fee penalty of $100 for each pesticide application fee 
24.31 	paid after March 1 in the year for which the license is to be issued.

25.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 21.82, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
25.2 		Subd. 3.Treated seed. For all named agricultural, vegetable, flower, or wildflower 
25.3 	seeds which are treated, for which a separate label may be used, the label must contain:
25.4 	(1) a word or statement to indicate that the seed has been treated;
25.5 	(2) the commonly accepted, coined, chemical, or abbreviated generic chemical name of 
25.6 	the applied substance;
25.7 	(3) the caution statement "Do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes" if the substance in 
25.8 	the amount present with the seed is harmful to human or other vertebrate animals;
25.9 	(4) in the case of mercurials or similarly toxic substances, a poison statement and symbol;
25.10 	(5) a word or statement describing the process used when the treatment is not of pesticide 
25.11 	origin; and
25.12 	(6) the date beyond which the inoculant is considered ineffective if the seed is treated 
25.13 	with an inoculant. It must be listed on the label as "inoculant: expires (month and year)" or 
25.14 	wording that conveys the same meaning.; and
25.15 	(7) for corn or soybean seed treated with neonicotinoid pesticide, the following caution 
25.16 	statement framed in a box and including a bee icon approved by the commissioner: "Planting 
25.17 	seed treated with a neonicotinoid pesticide may negatively impact pollinator health. Please 
25.18 	use care when handling and planting this seed. Do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes, 
25.19 	or ethanol production."

25.20 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 21.86, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
25.21 		Subd. 2.Miscellaneous violations. No person may:
25.22 	(a) detach, alter, deface, or destroy any label required in sections 21.82 and 21.83, alter 
25.23 	or substitute seed in a manner that may defeat the purposes of sections 21.82 and 21.83, or 
25.24 	alter or falsify any seed tests, laboratory reports, records, or other documents to create a 
25.25 	misleading impression as to kind, variety, history, quality, or origin of the seed;
25.26 	(b) hinder or obstruct in any way any authorized person in the performance of duties 
25.27 	under sections 21.80 to 21.92;
25.28 	(c) fail to comply with a "stop sale" order or to move or otherwise handle or dispose of 
25.29 	any lot of seed held under a stop sale order or attached tags, except with express permission 
25.30 	of the enforcing officer for the purpose specified;
26.1 	(d) use the word "type" in any labeling in connection with the name of any agricultural 
26.2 	seed variety;
26.3 	(e) use the word "trace" as a substitute for any statement which is required;
26.4 	(f) plant any agricultural seed which the person knows contains weed seeds or noxious 
26.5 	weed seeds in excess of the limits for that seed; or
26.6 	(g) advertise or sell seed containing patented, protected, or proprietary varieties used 
26.7 	without permission of the patent or certificate holder of the intellectual property associated 
26.8 	with the variety of seed.; or
26.9 	(h) use or sell as food, feed, oil, or ethanol feedstock any seed treated or coated with 
26.10 	neonicotinoid pesticide.

26.11 	Sec. 11. [21.915] PROHIBITED DISPOSAL METHODS.
26.12 	A person must not dispose of seed treated or coated with neonicotinoid pesticide in a 
26.13 	manner inconsistent with the product label, where applicable, or by:
26.14 	(1) burial near a drinking water source or any creek, stream, river, lake, or other surface 
26.15 	water;
26.16 	(2) composting; or
26.17 	(3) incinerating within a home or other dwelling.

26.18 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 28A.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
26.19 	read:
26.20 		Subd. 4.Food handler license account; appropriation. A food handler license account 
26.21 	is established in the agricultural fund. Fees paid under subdivision 3 must be deposited in 
26.22 	the account. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner 
26.23 	for expenses relating to licensing and inspecting food handlers under chapters 28 to 34A or 
26.24 	rules adopted under one of those chapters.

26.25 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 28A.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
26.26 	read:
26.27 		Subd. 3.Vending machine inspection account; appropriation. A vending machine 
26.28 	inspection account is established in the agricultural fund. Fees paid under subdivision 1 
26.29 	must be deposited in the account. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated 
27.1 	to the commissioner for expenses relating to identifying and inspecting food vending 
27.2 	machines under chapters 28 to 34A or rules adopted under one of those chapters.

27.3 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 28A.152, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
27.4 		Subdivision 1.Licensing provisions applicability. (a) The licensing provisions of 
27.5 	sections 28A.01 to 28A.16 do not apply to the following:
27.6 	(1) an individual who prepares and sells food that is not potentially hazardous food, as 
27.7 	defined in Minnesota Rules, part 4626.0020, subpart 62, if the following requirements are 
27.8 	met:
27.9 	(i) the prepared food offered for sale under this clause is labeled to accurately reflect 
27.10 	the name and the registration number or address of the individual preparing and selling the 
27.11 	food, the date on which the food was prepared, and the ingredients and any possible allergens; 
27.12 	and
27.13 	(ii) the individual displays at the point of sale a clearly legible sign or placard stating: 
27.14 	"These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection."; and
27.15 	(2) an individual who prepares and sells home-processed and home-canned food products 
27.16 	if the following requirements are met:
27.17 	(i) the products are pickles, vegetables, or fruits having an equilibrium pH value of 4.6 
27.18 	or lower, or a water activity value of .85 or less;
27.19 	(ii) the products are home-processed and home-canned in Minnesota;
27.20 	(iii) the individual displays at the point of sale a clearly legible sign or placard stating: 
27.21 	"These canned goods are homemade and not subject to state inspection."; and
27.22 	(iv) each container of the product sold or offered for sale under this clause is accurately 
27.23 	labeled to provide the name and the registration number or address of the individual who 
27.24 	processed and canned the goods, the date on which the goods were processed and canned, 
27.25 	and ingredients and any possible allergens.
27.26 	(b) An individual who qualifies for an exemption under paragraph (a), clause (2), is also 
27.27 	exempt from the provisions of sections 31.31 and 31.392.
27.28 	(c) An individual who qualifies for an exemption under paragraph (a) may organize the 
27.29 	individual's cottage food business as a business entity recognized by state law.

28.1 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 28A.152, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
28.2 		Subd. 3.Limitation on sales. An individual selling exempt foods under this section is 
28.3 	limited to total sales with gross receipts of $18,000 $78,000 or less in a calendar year.

28.4 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 28A.152, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
28.5 		Subd. 4.Registration. An individual who prepares and sells exempt food under 
28.6 	subdivision 1 must register annually with the commissioner. The commissioner shall register 
28.7 	an individual within 30 days of submitting a complete registration to the commissioner. A 
28.8 	registration shall be deemed accepted after 30 days following an individual's complete 
28.9 	registration to the commissioner. The annual registration fee is $50 $25. An individual with 
28.10 	$5,000 or less in annual gross receipts from the sale of exempt food under this section is 
28.11 	not required to pay the registration fee. Beginning January 1, 2022, and every five years 
28.12 	thereafter, the commissioner shall adjust the gross receipts amount of this fee exemption 
28.13 	based on the consumer price index using 2015 as the index year for the $5,000 gross receipts 
28.14 	exemption.

28.15 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 28A.152, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
28.16 		Subd. 5.Training. (a) An individual with gross receipts between $5,000 and $18,000 
28.17 	in a calendar year from the sale of exempt food under this section must complete a safe 
28.18 	food handling training course that is approved by the commissioner before registering under 
28.19 	subdivision 4. The training shall not exceed eight hours and must be completed every three 
28.20 	years while the individual is registered under subdivision 4.
28.21 	(b) An individual with gross receipts of less than $5,000 in a calendar year from the sale 
28.22 	of exempt food under this section must satisfactorily complete an online course and exam 
28.23 	as approved by the commissioner before registering under subdivision 4. The commissioner 
28.24 	shall offer the online course and exam under this paragraph at no cost to the individual.

28.25 	Sec. 18. [28A.153] WILD GAME PROCESSOR EXEMPTION.
28.26 		Subdivision 1.Licensing provisions applicability. The licensing provisions of sections 
28.27 	28A.01 to 28A.16 do not apply to an individual who processes wild game or fowl as 
28.28 	described in section 31A.15, subdivision 1, clause (2), if the following requirements are 
28.29 	met:
28.30 	(1) the individual does not conduct another operation subject to the licensing provisions 
28.31 	of sections 28A.01 to 28A.16;
29.1 	(2) the individual's operation is limited to the handling of raw products, to include cutting, 
29.2 	grinding, and packaging, and without further preparation of the wild game or fowl products;
29.3 	(3) the individual does not add any additional ingredients to the wild game or fowl 
29.4 	products;
29.5 	(4) the wild game or fowl products are not donated; and
29.6 	(5) all wild game or fowl products are packaged and labeled as "Not for Sale."
29.7 		Subd. 2.Sales limitation. An individual processing wild game or fowl under this section 
29.8 	is limited to total services with gross receipts of $20,000 or less in a calendar year.
29.9 		Subd. 3.Registration. An individual processing wild game under this section must 
29.10 	register annually with the commissioner. The commissioner must not assess a registration 
29.11 	fee.
29.12 		Subd. 4.Permit exemption. An individual processing wild game under this section is 
29.13 	not required to obtain a custom processing permit under section 28A.04, subdivision 2.
29.14 		Subd. 5.Local ordinances. This section does not preempt the application of any business 
29.15 	licensing requirement or sanitation, public health, or zoning ordinance of a political 
29.16 	subdivision.
29.17 		Subd. 6.Chronic wasting disease. An individual processing wild game under this 
29.18 	section must:
29.19 	(1) ensure that each white-tailed deer processed by the individual and harvested from a 
29.20 	chronic wasting disease management zone established by the commissioner of natural 
29.21 	resources is tested for chronic wasting disease; and
29.22 	(2) dispose of the carcass of each white-tailed deer under clause (1) through a chronic 
29.23 	wasting disease adopt-a-dumpster program administered by the commissioner of natural 
29.24 	resources.

29.25 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 35.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.26 		Subdivision 1.Members; officers. The board has five seven members appointed by the 
29.27 	governor with the advice and consent of the senate, three of whom are producers of livestock 
29.28 	in the state, and twothree of whom are practicing veterinarians licensed in Minnesota at 
29.29 	least one of whom is a small-animal veterinarian, and one of whom is a member of a federally 
29.30 	recognized Tribe located in Minnesota with knowledge of animal health. The commissioners 
29.31 	of agriculture, natural resources, and health, the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, 
29.32 	and the director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of the University of Minnesota 
30.1 	may shall serve as consultants to the board without vote. Appointments to fill unexpired 
30.2 	terms must be made from the classes to which the retiring members belong. The board shall 
30.3 	elect a president and a vice-president from among its members and. The governor shall 
30.4 	appoint a veterinarian licensed in Minnesota who is not a member to be its executive director 
30.5 	for a term of one year and until a successor qualifies. The board shall set the duties of the 
30.6 	director.

30.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2021, and the governor's duty to 
30.8 	appoint the executive director of the Board of Animal Health begins with the appointment 
30.9 	for state fiscal year 2023.

30.10 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
30.11 		Subd. 2.Payment amounts; limits. (a) The commissioner shall make payments to 
30.12 	eligible producers of advanced biofuel. The amount of the payment for each eligible 
30.13 	producer's annual production is $2.1053 per MMbtu for advanced biofuel production from 
30.14 	cellulosic biomass, and $1.053 per MMbtu for advanced biofuel production from sugar, 
30.15 	starch, oil, or animal fat at a specific location for ten years after the start of production.
30.16 	(b) Total payments under this section to an eligible biofuel producer in a fiscal year may 
30.17 	not exceed the amount necessary for 2,850,000 MMbtu of biofuel production. Total payments 
30.18 	under this section to all eligible biofuel producers in a fiscal year may not exceed the amount 
30.19 	necessary for 17,100,000 MMbtu of biofuel production. If the total amount for which all 
30.20 	producers are eligible in a quarter exceeds the amount available for payments, the 
30.21 	commissioner shall make the payments on a pro rata basis. An eligible producer may reapply 
30.22 	for payment of the amount of the difference between the claim for payment filed under 
30.23 	subdivision 6 and the pro rata amount received until the full amount of the original claim 
30.24 	is paid.
30.25 	(c) For purposes of this section, an entity that holds a controlling interest in more than 
30.26 	one advanced biofuel facility is considered a single eligible producer.

30.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from January 1, 2020, and 
30.28 	applies to claims filed after January 1, 2020.

30.29 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.16, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
30.30 		Subd. 5.Agricultural cellulosic biomass sourcing plan. (a) An eligible producer who 
30.31 	utilizes agricultural cellulosic biomass other than corn kernel fiber or biogas must submit 
30.32 	a responsible biomass sourcing plan for approval by the commissioner prior to applying for 
31.1 	payments under this section. The commissioner shall make the plan publicly available. The 
31.2 	plan must:
31.3 	(1) provide a detailed explanation of how agricultural cellulosic biomass will be produced 
31.4 	and managed in a way that preserves soil quality, does not increase soil and nutrient runoff, 
31.5 	avoids introduction of harmful invasive species, limits negative impacts on wildlife habitat, 
31.6 	and reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
31.7 	(2) include the producer's approach to verifying that biomass suppliers are following 
31.8 	the plan;
31.9 	(3) discuss how new technologies and practices that are not yet commercially viable 
31.10 	may be encouraged and adopted during the life of the facility, and how the producer will 
31.11 	encourage continuous improvement during the life of the project;
31.12 	(4) include specific numeric goals and timelines for making progress;
31.13 	(5) require agronomic practices that result in a positive Natural Resources Conservation 
31.14 	Service Soil Conditioning Index score for acres from which biomass from corn stover will 
31.15 	be harvested; and
31.16 	(6) include biennial soil sampling to verify maintained or increased levels of soil organic 
31.17 	matter.
31.18 	(b) An eligible producer who utilizes agricultural cellulosic biomass and receives 
31.19 	payments under this section shall submit an annual report on the producer's responsible 
31.20 	biomass sourcing plan to the commissioner by January 15 each year. The report must include 
31.21 	data on progress made by the producer in meeting specific goals laid out in the plan. The 
31.22 	commissioner shall make the report publicly available. The commissioner shall perform an 
31.23 	annual review of submitted reports and may make a determination that the producer is not 
31.24 	following the plan based on the reports submitted. The commissioner may take appropriate 
31.25 	steps, including reducing or ceasing payments, until the producer is in compliance with the 
31.26 	plan.

31.27 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.16, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
31.28 		Subd. 6.Claims. (a) By the last day of October, January, April, and July, each eligible 
31.29 	biofuel producer shall file a claim for payment for advanced biofuel production during the 
31.30 	preceding three calendar months. An eligible biofuel producer that files a claim under this 
31.31 	subdivision shall include a statement of the eligible biofuel producer's total advanced biofuel 
31.32 	production in Minnesota during the quarter covered by the claim and certify that the eligible 
31.33 	producer will not use payments received under this section to compensate a lobbyist who 
32.1 	is required to register with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board under section 
32.2 	10A.03. For each claim and statement of total advanced biofuel production filed under this 
32.3 	subdivision, the volume of advanced biofuel production must be examined by a CPA firm 
32.4 	with a valid permit to practice under chapter 326A, in accordance with Statements on 
32.5 	Standards for Attestation Engagements established by the American Institute of Certified 
32.6 	Public Accountants.
32.7 	(b) The commissioner must issue payments by November 15, February 15, May 15, and 
32.8 	August 15. A separate payment must be made for each claim filed.

32.9 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
32.10 		Subd. 2.Payment amounts; bonus; limits. (a) The commissioner shall make payments 
32.11 	to eligible producers of renewable chemicals located in the state. The amount of the payment 
32.12 	for each producer's annual production is $0.03 per pound of sugar-derived renewable 
32.13 	chemical, $0.03 per pound of cellulosic sugar, starch, oil, or animal fat, and $0.06 per pound 
32.14 	of cellulosic-derived renewable chemical produced at a specific location for ten years after 
32.15 	the start of production.
32.16 	(b) An eligible facility producing renewable chemicals using agricultural cellulosic 
32.17 	biomass is eligible for a 20 percent bonus payment for each pound produced from agricultural 
32.18 	biomass that is derived from perennial crop or cover crop biomass.
32.19 	(c) Total payments under this section to an eligible renewable chemical producer in a 
32.20 	fiscal year may not exceed the amount necessary for 99,999,999 pounds of renewable 
32.21 	chemical production. Total payments under this section to all eligible renewable chemical 
32.22 	producers in a fiscal year may not exceed the amount necessary for 599,999,999 pounds of 
32.23 	renewable chemical production. If the total amount for which all producers are eligible in 
32.24 	a quarter exceeds the amount available for payments, the commissioner shall make the 
32.25 	payments on a pro rata basis. An eligible producer may reapply for payment of the amount 
32.26 	of the difference between the claim for payment filed under subdivision 5 and the pro rata 
32.27 	amount received until the full amount of the original claim is paid.
32.28 	(d) An eligible facility may blend renewable chemicals with other chemicals that are 
32.29 	not renewable chemicals, but only the percentage attributable to renewable chemicals in 
32.30 	the blended product is eligible to receive payment.
32.31 	(e) For purposes of this section, an entity that holds a controlling interest in more than 
32.32 	one renewable chemical production facility is considered a single eligible producer.

33.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from January 1, 2020, and 
33.2 	applies to claims filed after January 1, 2020.

33.3 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.17, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
33.4 		Subd. 4.Agricultural cellulosic biomass sourcing plan. (a) An eligible producer who 
33.5 	utilizes agricultural cellulosic biomass other than corn kernel fiber or biogas must submit 
33.6 	a responsible biomass sourcing plan to the commissioner prior to applying for payments 
33.7 	under this section. The plan must:
33.8 	(1) provide a detailed explanation of how agricultural cellulosic biomass will be produced 
33.9 	and managed in a way that preserves soil quality, does not increase soil and nutrient runoff, 
33.10 	avoids introduction of harmful invasive species, limits negative impacts on wildlife habitat, 
33.11 	and reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
33.12 	(2) include the producer's approach to verifying that biomass suppliers are following 
33.13 	the plan;
33.14 	(3) discuss how new technologies and practices that are not yet commercially viable 
33.15 	may be encouraged and adopted during the life of the facility, and how the producer will 
33.16 	encourage continuous improvement during the life of the project; and
33.17 	(4) include specific numeric goals and timelines for making progress.
33.18 	(b) An eligible producer who utilizes agricultural cellulosic biomass and receives 
33.19 	payments under this section shall submit an annual report on the producer's responsible 
33.20 	biomass sourcing plan to the commissioner by January 15 each year. The report must include 
33.21 	data on progress made by the producer in meeting specific goals laid out in the plan. The 
33.22 	commissioner shall make the report publicly available. The commissioner shall perform an 
33.23 	annual review of submitted reports and may make a determination that the producer is not 
33.24 	following the plan based on the reports submitted. The commissioner may take appropriate 
33.25 	steps, including reducing or ceasing payments, until the producer is in compliance with the 
33.26 	plan.

33.27 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.17, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
33.28 		Subd. 5.Claims. (a) By the last day of October, January, April, and July, each eligible 
33.29 	renewable chemical producer shall file a claim for payment for renewable chemical 
33.30 	production during the preceding three calendar months. An eligible renewable chemical 
33.31 	producer that files a claim under this subdivision shall include a statement of the eligible 
33.32 	producer's total renewable chemical production in Minnesota during the quarter covered by 
34.1 	the claim and certify that the eligible producer will not use payments received under this 
34.2 	section to compensate a lobbyist who is required to register with the Campaign Finance and 
34.3 	Public Disclosure Board under section 10A.03. For each claim and statement of total 
34.4 	renewable chemical production filed under this paragraph, the volume of renewable chemical 
34.5 	production must be examined by a CPA firm with a valid permit to practice under chapter 
34.6 	326A, in accordance with Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements established 
34.7 	by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
34.8 	(b) The commissioner must issue payments by November 15, February 15, May 15, and 
34.9 	August 15. A separate payment must be made for each claim filed.

34.10 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
34.11 		Subd. 2.Payment amounts; bonus; limits; blending. (a) The commissioner shall make 
34.12 	payments to eligible producers of biomass thermal located in the state. The amount of the 
34.13 	payment for each producer's annual production is $5.00 per MMbtu of biomass thermal 
34.14 	production produced at a specific location for ten years after the start of production.
34.15 	(b) An eligible facility producing biomass thermal using agricultural cellulosic biomass 
34.16 	is eligible for a 20 percent bonus payment for each MMbtu produced from agricultural 
34.17 	biomass that is derived from perennial crop or cover crop biomass.
34.18 	(c) Total payments under this section to an eligible thermal producer in a fiscal year 
34.19 	may not exceed the amount necessary for 30,000 MMbtu of thermal production. Total 
34.20 	payments under this section to all eligible thermal producers in a fiscal year may not exceed 
34.21 	the amount necessary for 150,000 MMbtu of total thermal production. If the total amount 
34.22 	for which all producers are eligible in a quarter exceeds the amount available for payments, 
34.23 	the commissioner shall make the payments on a pro rata basis. An eligible producer may 
34.24 	reapply for payment of the amount of the difference between the claim for payment filed 
34.25 	under subdivision 5 and the pro rata amount received until the full amount of the original 
34.26 	claim is paid.
34.27 	(d) An eligible facility may blend a cellulosic feedstock with other fuels in the biomass 
34.28 	thermal production facility, but only the percentage attributable to biomass meeting the 
34.29 	cellulosic forestry biomass requirements or agricultural cellulosic biomass sourcing plan is 
34.30 	eligible to receive payment.
34.31 	(e) When a facility is eligible due to adding production capacity or retrofitting existing 
34.32 	capacity, the entire amount of biomass meeting the cellulosic forestry biomass requirements 
35.1 	or agricultural cellulosic biomass sourcing plan is assumed to have been used for the biomass 
35.2 	thermal production from the added or retrofitted production capacity.
35.3 	(f) For purposes of this section, an entity that holds a controlling interest in more than 
35.4 	one biomass thermal production facility is considered a single eligible producer.

35.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from January 1, 2020, and 
35.6 	applies to claims filed after January 1, 2020.

35.7 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.18, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
35.8 		Subd. 5.Claims. (a) By the last day of October, January, April, and July, each producer 
35.9 	shall file a claim for payment for biomass thermal production during the preceding three 
35.10 	calendar months. A producer that files a claim under this subdivision shall include a statement 
35.11 	of the producer's total biomass thermal production in Minnesota during the quarter covered 
35.12 	by the claim and certify that the eligible producer will not use payments received under this 
35.13 	section to compensate a lobbyist who is required to register with the Campaign Finance and 
35.14 	Public Disclosure Board under section 10A.03. For each claim and statement of total biomass 
35.15 	thermal production filed under this paragraph, the volume of biomass thermal production 
35.16 	must be examined by a CPA firm with a valid permit to practice under chapter 326A, in 
35.17 	accordance with Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements established by the 
35.18 	American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
35.19 	(b) The commissioner must issue payments by November 15, February 15, May 15, and 
35.20 	August 15. A separate payment shall be made for each claim filed.

35.21 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41A.19, is amended to read:
35.22 	41A.19 REPORT; INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.
35.23 	By January 15 each year, the commissioner shall report on the incentive programs under 
35.24 	sections 41A.16, 41A.17, and 41A.18 to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
35.25 	environment policy and finance and agriculture policy and finance. The report shall include 
35.26 	information on production and incentive expenditures under the programs., as well as the 
35.27 	following information that the commissioner must require of each producer who receives 
35.28 	a payment during the reporting period:
35.29 	(1) business structure of the producer;
35.30 	(2) the name and address of the parent company of the producer, if any;
35.31 	(3) a cumulative list of all financial assistance received from all grantors for the project;
36.1 	(4) goals for the number of jobs created and progress in achieving these goals, which 
36.2 	may include separate goals for the number of part-time or full-time jobs, or, in cases where 
36.3 	job loss is specific and demonstrable, goals for the number of jobs retained;
36.4 	(5) equity hiring goals and progress in achieving these goals;
36.5 	(6) wage goals and progress in achieving these goals for all jobs created or maintained 
36.6 	by the producer;
36.7 	(7) board member and executive compensation;
36.8 	(8) evidence of compliance with environmental permits;
36.9 	(9) the producer's intended and actual use of payments received from the commissioner; 
36.10 	and
36.11 	(10) if applicable, the latest financial audit opinion statement produced by a certified 
36.12 	public accountant in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of 
36.13 	Certified Public Accountants.

36.14 	Sec. 29. [41A.25] BIOFUELS INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
36.15 	PROGRAM.
36.16 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
36.17 	the meanings given.
36.18 	(b) "Account" means the biofuels infrastructure financial assistance account established 
36.19 	in subdivision 3.
36.20 	(c) "Biofuel" has the meaning given in section 239.051.
36.21 	(d) "Biodiesel blend" has the meaning given in section 239.77.
36.22 	(e) "Biodiesel fuel" has the meaning given in section 239.77.
36.23 	(f) "Biofuels Infrastructure Financial Assistance Program Advisory Committee" or 
36.24 	"advisory committee" means the Biofuels Infrastructure Financial Assistance Program 
36.25 	Advisory Committee under section 41A.26.
36.26 	(g) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture.
36.27 	(h) "Financing" means loans, including low-interest loans, zero-interest loans, forgivable 
36.28 	loans, and other types of financial assistance other than grants.
36.29 	(i) "Program" means the biofuels infrastructure financial assistance program established 
36.30 	in this section.
37.1 	(j) "Technical assistance" means individualized guidance, presentations, workshops, 
37.2 	trainings, printed materials, or other guidance and resources on relevant topics.
37.3 	(k) "Transportation fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure" means an underground 
37.4 	storage tank or above-ground storage tank, as those terms are defined in section 116.46 and 
37.5 	any rules adopted under that section. Transportation fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure 
37.6 	includes any structures or appurtenances to an underground storage tank or above-ground 
37.7 	storage tank.
37.8 		Subd. 2.Program established. (a) A biofuels infrastructure financial assistance program 
37.9 	is established within the Department of Agriculture to provide financing and financial 
37.10 	assistance to owners of transportation fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure for the 
37.11 	purpose of upgrading infrastructure to become compatible with blends of gasoline containing 
37.12 	greater than ten percent biofuel by volume or biodiesel blends containing greater than 20 
37.13 	percent of biodiesel fuel by volume. The commissioner, in cooperation with public and 
37.14 	private partners, must establish and implement the program as provided in this section.
37.15 	(b) The biofuels infrastructure financial assistance program must be comprised of state 
37.16 	or private grants, loans, or other types of financial and technical assistance for the purpose 
37.17 	as provided in this subdivision.
37.18 	(c) The commissioner's actions under this subdivision are not subject to chapter 14.
37.19 		Subd. 3.Biofuels infrastructure financial assistance account. A biofuels infrastructure 
37.20 	financial assistance account is established in the agricultural fund. The account consists of 
37.21 	money appropriated to the commissioner and any other money donated, allotted, transferred, 
37.22 	or otherwise provided to the account. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated 
37.23 	to the commissioner for the purposes of this section, and must be used, to the extent 
37.24 	practicable, to leverage other forms of public and private financing or financial assistance 
37.25 	for the projects.
37.26 		Subd. 4.Program administration. (a) The commissioner is the administrator of the 
37.27 	account for auditing purposes and must establish program requirements and a competitive 
37.28 	process for projects applying for financial and technical assistance.
37.29 	(b) The commissioner may receive money or other assets from any source, including 
37.30 	but not limited to philanthropic foundations and financial investors, for deposit into the 
37.31 	account.
37.32 	(c) Through issuance of requests for proposals, the commissioner may contract with one 
37.33 	or more qualified economic or community development financial institutions to manage 
38.1 	the financing component of the program and with one or more qualified organizations or 
38.2 	public agencies with financial or other program-related expertise to manage the provision 
38.3 	of technical assistance to project grantees.
38.4 	(d) Money in the account at the close of each fiscal year does not cancel. In each 
38.5 	biennium, the commissioner must determine the appropriate proportion of money to be 
38.6 	allocated to loans, grants, technical assistance, and any other types of financial assistance.
38.7 	(e) To encourage public-private, cross-sector collaboration and investment in the account 
38.8 	and program and to ensure that the program intent is maintained throughout implementation, 
38.9 	the commissioner must convene and maintain the Biofuels Infrastructure Financial Assistance 
38.10 	Program Advisory Committee.
38.11 	(f) The commissioner, in cooperation with the Biofuels Infrastructure Financial Assistance 
38.12 	Program Advisory Committee, must manage the program, establish program criteria, facilitate 
38.13 	leveraging of additional public and private investment, and promote the program statewide.
38.14 	(g) The commissioner, in cooperation with the Biofuels Infrastructure Financial 
38.15 	Assistance Program Advisory Committee must establish annual monitoring and accountability 
38.16 	mechanisms for all projects receiving financing or other financial or technical assistance 
38.17 	through this program.
38.18 		Subd. 5.Eligible projects. (a) The commissioner, in cooperation with the Biofuels 
38.19 	Infrastructure Financial Assistance Program Advisory Committee, must establish project 
38.20 	eligibility guidelines and application processes to be used to review and select project 
38.21 	applicants for financing or other financial or technical assistance.
38.22 	(b) Projects eligible for financing, financial assistance such as grants, or technical 
38.23 	assistance, must fulfill the purpose as provided in subdivision 2.
38.24 		Subd. 6.Legislative report. The commissioner, in cooperation with any economic or 
38.25 	community development financial institution and any other entity with which it contracts, 
38.26 	must submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure financial assistance program by January 
38.27 	15 of each year to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
38.28 	and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and finance. The annual report must 
38.29 	include but not be limited to a summary of the following metrics:
38.30 	(1) the number and types of projects financed;
38.31 	(2) the amount of dollars leveraged or matched per project;
38.32 	(3) the geographic distribution of financed projects;
39.1 	(4) the number and types of technical assistance recipients;
39.2 	(5) any market expansion associated with upgraded infrastructure;
39.3 	(6) the demographics of the areas served;
39.4 	(7) the costs of the program; and
39.5 	(8) the number of loans or grants to minority-owned or female-owned businesses.

39.6 	Sec. 30. [41A.26] BIOFUELS INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
39.7 	PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
39.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings 
39.9 	given:
39.10 	(1) "commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture; and
39.11 	(2) "program" means the biofuels infrastructure financial assistance program under 
39.12 	section 41A.25.
39.13 		Subd. 2.Creation. The Biofuels Infrastructure Financial Assistance Program Advisory 
39.14 	Committee consists of no more than 15 members appointed by the commissioner of 
39.15 	agriculture, including but not limited to representatives of agriculture, the biofuels industry, 
39.16 	and motor fuel retailers.
39.17 		Subd. 3.Duties. The advisory committee must advise the commissioner of agriculture 
39.18 	on managing the program, establishing program criteria, establishing project eligibility 
39.19 	guidelines, establishing application processes and additional selection criteria, establishing 
39.20 	annual monitoring and accountability mechanisms, facilitating leveraging of additional 
39.21 	public and private investments, and promoting the program statewide.
39.22 		Subd. 4.Meetings. The commissioner must convene the advisory committee at least 
39.23 	two times per year to achieve the committee's duties.
39.24 		Subd. 5.Administrative support. The commissioner of agriculture must provide staffing, 
39.25 	meeting space, and administrative services for the advisory committee.
39.26 		Subd. 6.Chair. The commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee must 
39.27 	serve as chair of the committee.
39.28 		Subd. 7.Compensation. The public members of the advisory committee serve without 
39.29 	compensation or payment of expenses.

40.1 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41B.048, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
40.2 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The authority shall establish and implement an agroforestry 
40.3 	loan program to help finance the production of short rotation woody crops. The authority 
40.4 	may contract with a fiscal agent to provide an efficient delivery system for this program.

40.5 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41B.048, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
40.6 		Subd. 4.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
40.7 	(b) "Fiscal agent" means any lending institution or other organization of a for-profit or 
40.8 	nonprofit nature that is in good standing with the state of Minnesota that has the appropriate 
40.9 	business structure and trained personnel suitable to providing efficient disbursement of loan 
40.10 	funds and the servicing and collection of loans over an extended period of time.
40.11 	(c)(b) "Growing cycle" means the number of years from planting to harvest.
40.12 	(d) (c) "Harvest" means the day that the crop arrives at the scale of the buyer of the crop.
40.13 	(e) (d) "Short rotation woody crops" or "crop" means hybrid poplar and other woody 
40.14 	plants that are harvested for their fiber within 15 years of planting.

40.15 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41B.048, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
40.16 		Subd. 6.Loans. (a) The authority may disburse loans through a fiscal agentparticipate 
40.17 	with eligible lenders in agroforestry loans to farmers and agricultural landowners who are 
40.18 	eligible under subdivision 5. The total accumulative loan principal must not exceed The 
40.19 	authority's participation is limited to 45 percent or $75,000 of total accumulative principal 
40.20 	per loan.
40.21 	(b) The fiscal agent may impose a loan origination fee in the amount of one percent of 
40.22 	the total approved loan. This fee is to be paid by the borrower to the fiscal agent at the time 
40.23 	of loan closing The interest rates and repayment terms of the authority's participation interest 
40.24 	may differ from those of the lender's retained portion of the loan.
40.25 	(c) The loan may be disbursed over a period not to exceed 12 years.
40.26 	(d) A borrower may receive loans, depending on the availability of funds, for planted 
40.27 	areas up to 160 acres for up to:
40.28 	(1) the total amount necessary for establishment of the crop;
40.29 	(2) the total amount of maintenance costs, including weed control, during the first three 
40.30 	years; and
41.1 	(3) 70 percent of the estimated value of one year's growth of the crop for years four 
41.2 	through 12.
41.3 	(e) Security for the loan must be the crop, a personal note executed by the borrower, an 
41.4 	interest in the land upon which the crop is growing, and whatever other security is required 
41.5 	by the fiscal agent eligible lender or the authority. All recording fees must be paid by the 
41.6 	borrower.
41.7 	(f) The authority may prescribe forms and establish an application process for applicants 
41.8 	to apply for a loan.
41.9 	(g) The authority may impose a reasonable, nonrefundable application fee for each 
41.10 	application for a loan under this program. The application fee is initially $50. Application 
41.11 	fees received by the authority must be deposited in the Rural Finance Authority administrative 
41.12 	account established in section 41B.03.
41.13 	(h) Loans under the program must be made using money in the revolving loan account 
41.14 	established under section 41B.06.
41.15 	(i) All repayments of financial assistance granted under this section, including principal 
41.16 	and interest, must be deposited into the revolving loan account established under section 
41.17 	41B.06.
41.18 	(j) The interest payable on loans made by the authority for the agroforestry loan program 
41.19 	must, if funded by revenue bond proceeds, be at a rate not less than the rate on the revenue 
41.20 	bonds, and may be established at a higher rate necessary to pay costs associated with the 
41.21 	issuance of the revenue bonds and a proportionate share of the cost of administering the 
41.22 	program. The interest payable on loans for the agroforestry loan program funded from 
41.23 	sources other than revenue bond proceeds must be at a rate determined by the authority.
41.24 	(k) Loan principal balance outstanding plus all assessed interest must be repaid within 
41.25 	120 days of harvest, but no later than 15 years from planting.

41.26 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 583.215, is amended to read:
41.27 	583.215 EXPIRATION.
41.28 	Sections 336.9-601, subsections (h) and (i); 550.365; 559.209; 582.039; and 583.20 to 
41.29 	583.32, expire June 30, 2022 2027.

41.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

42.1 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 583.26, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
42.2 		Subd. 4.Mediation proceeding notice. (a) By ten days after receiving a mediation 
42.3 	request, the director shall send: (1) a mediation proceeding notice to the debtor; (2) a 
42.4 	mediation proceeding notice to all creditors listed by the debtor in the mediation request 
42.5 	and any additional secured creditors identified by the director from the credit report obtained 
42.6 	with the debtor's permission under subdivision 2; and (3) a claim form to all secured creditors 
42.7 	stated by the debtor or identified by the director.
42.8 	(b) The mediation proceeding notice must state:
42.9 	(1) the name and address of the debtor;
42.10 	(2) that the debtor has requested mediation under the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act;
42.11 	(3) the time and place for the orientation session;
42.12 	(4) the time and place for the initial mediation meeting;
42.13 	(5) a list of the names of three mediators that may be assigned to the proceeding, along 
42.14 	with background information on those mediators including biographical information, a 
42.15 	summary of previous mediation experience, and the number of agreements signed by parties 
42.16 	to previous mediation;
42.17 	(6) that the debtor and the initiating creditor may each request the director to exclude 
42.18 	one mediator by notifying the director within three days after receiving the notice;
42.19 	(7) that in lieu of having a mediator assigned by the director, the debtor and any one or 
42.20 	more of the creditors may agree to select and pay for a professional mediator that is approved 
42.21 	by the director;
42.22 	(8) that the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act prohibits the creditor from beginning or 
42.23 	continuing a proceeding to enforce the debt against agricultural property for 90 120 days 
42.24 	after the debtor files a mediation request with the director unless otherwise allowed; and
42.25 	(9) that the creditor must provide the debtor by the initial mediation meeting with copies 
42.26 	of notes and contracts for debts subject to the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act and provide a 
42.27 	statement of interest rates on the debts, delinquent payments, unpaid principal and interest 
42.28 	balances, the creditor's value of the collateral, and debt restructuring programs available by 
42.29 	the creditor.
42.30 	(c) An initial mediation meeting must be held within 20 days of the notice.
43.1 	(d) The initiating creditor and the debtor may each request the director to exclude one 
43.2 	mediator from the list by sending the director a notice to exclude the mediator within three 
43.3 	days after receiving the mediation proceeding notice.
43.4 	(e) In lieu of the director assigning a mediator, the debtor and any one or more of the 
43.5 	creditors may agree to select and pay for a professional mediator for the mediation 
43.6 	proceeding. The director must approve the professional mediator before the professional 
43.7 	mediator may be assigned to the mediation proceeding. The professional mediator may not 
43.8 	be approved unless the professional mediator prepares and signs an affidavit:
43.9 	(1) disclosing any biases, relationships, or previous associations with the debtor or 
43.10 	creditors subject to the mediation proceedings;
43.11 	(2) stating certifications, training, or qualifications as a professional mediator;
43.12 	(3) disclosing fees to be charged or a rate schedule of fees for the mediation proceeding; 
43.13 	and
43.14 	(4) affirming to uphold the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act and faithfully discharge the 
43.15 	duties of a mediator.
43.16 	(f) After receiving a mediation proceeding notice, a secured creditor must return a claim 
43.17 	form if the debt is not subject to the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act and specify why the debt 
43.18 	is not subject to sections 583.20 to 583.32.

43.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
43.20 	applies to mediation proceedings in progress on that date and mediation proceedings 
43.21 	beginning after that date.

43.22 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 583.26, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
43.23 		Subd. 5.Effect of mediation proceeding notice. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs 
43.24 	(b), (c), and (d), if a creditor receives a mediation proceeding notice under subdivision 4 
43.25 	the creditor and the creditor's successors in interest may not begin or continue proceedings 
43.26 	to enforce a debt subject to the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act against agricultural property 
43.27 	of the debtor under chapter 580 or 581 or sections 336.9-501 to 336.9-508, to terminate a 
43.28 	contract for deed to purchase agricultural property under section 559.21, or to garnish, levy 
43.29 	on, execute on, seize, or attach agricultural property until 90 120 days after the date the 
43.30 	debtor files a mediation request with the director.
43.31 	(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), if a creditor is an agency of the United States 
43.32 	and receives a mediation proceeding notice under subdivision 4, the creditor and the creditor's 
44.1 	successors in interest may not begin or continue proceedings to enforce a debt against 
44.2 	agricultural property of the debtor under chapter 580 or 581 or sections 336.9-501 to 
44.3 	336.9-508, to terminate a contract for deed to purchase agricultural property under section 
44.4 	559.21, or to garnish, levy on, execute on, seize, or attach agricultural property until 90 120
44.5 	days after the date the debtor files a mediation request with the director.
44.6 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) or subdivision 1, a creditor receiving a 
44.7 	mediation proceeding notice may begin proceedings to enforce a debt against agricultural 
44.8 	property of the debtor:
44.9 	(1) at the time the creditor receives a mediator's affidavit of the debtor's lack of good 
44.10 	faith under section 583.27; or
44.11 	(2) five days after the date the debtor and creditor sign an agreement allowing the creditor 
44.12 	to proceed to enforce the debt against agricultural property if the debtor has not rescinded 
44.13 	the agreement within the five days.
44.14 	(d) A creditor receiving a mediation proceeding notice must provide the debtor by the 
44.15 	initial mediation meeting with copies of notes and contracts for debts subject to the 
44.16 	Farmer-Lender Mediation Act and provide a statement of interest rates on the debts, 
44.17 	delinquent payments, unpaid principal balance, a list of all collateral securing debts, a 
44.18 	creditor's estimate of the value of the collateral, and debt restructuring programs available 
44.19 	by the creditor.
44.20 	(e) The provisions of this subdivision are subject to section 583.27, relating to extension 
44.21 	or reduction in the period before a creditor may begin to enforce a debt and court-supervised 
44.22 	mediation.

44.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
44.24 	applies to mediation proceedings in progress on that date and mediation proceedings 
44.25 	beginning after that date.

44.26 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 583.26, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
44.27 		Subd. 8.Mediation period. The mediator may call mediation meetings during the 
44.28 	mediation period, which is up to 60 90 days after the initial mediation meeting.

44.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
44.30 	applies to mediation proceedings in progress on that date and mediation proceedings 
44.31 	beginning after that date.

45.1 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 583.27, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
45.2 		Subd. 3.Creditor's bad faith; court supervision. If the mediator finds the creditor has 
45.3 	not participated in mediation in good faith, the debtor may require court supervised mandatory 
45.4 	mediation by filing the affidavit with the district court of the county of the debtor's residence 
45.5 	with a request for court supervision of mediation and serving a copy of the request on the 
45.6 	creditor. Upon request the court shall require both parties to mediate under the supervision 
45.7 	of the court in good faith for a period of not more than 60 90 days. All creditor remedies 
45.8 	must be suspended during this period. The court may issue orders necessary to effect good 
45.9 	faith mediation. Following the mediation period, if the court finds the creditor has not 
45.10 	participated in mediation in good faith, the court shall by order suspend the creditor's 
45.11 	remedies for an additional period of 180 days. A creditor found by the mediator not to have 
45.12 	participated in good faith shall pay attorneys' fees and costs of the debtor requesting 
45.13 	court-supervision of mediation or additional suspension of creditor's remedies.

45.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
45.15 	applies to mediation proceedings in progress on that date and mediation proceedings 
45.16 	beginning after that date.

45.17 	Sec. 39. Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 19, is amended to read:
45.18 	Sec. 19. USES OF GENERAL-USE SANITIZERS AND DISINFECTANTS FOR 
45.19 	TREATMENT OF COVID-19.
 45.20 	(a) A person who uses a general-use sanitizer or disinfectant for hire in response to 
45.21 	COVID-19 is exempt from the commercial applicator license requirements under Minnesota 
45.22 	Statutes, section 18B.33.
45.23 	(b) This section expires April 1, 2021 2022, or 60 days after the peacetime emergency 
45.24 	declared in response to the infectious disease known as COVID-19 expires or is terminated 
45.25 	by the proper authority, whichever is later.

45.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from March 31, 2021.

45.27 	Sec. 40. REPEALER.
 45.28 	Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 41B.048, subdivision 8, is repealed.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H1524-1 

41B.048 AGROFORESTRY LOAN PROGRAM.Subd. 8.Revenue bonds. 
The authority may issue revenue bonds to finance the agroforestry loan program in accordance with sections 41B.08 to 41B.15, 41B.17, and 41B.18. Bonds may be refunded by the issuance of refunding bonds in the manner authorized by chapter 475.