1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; modifying agriculture policy provisions;amending 
1.3 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 17.4986, subdivisions 2, 3; 17.4987; 17.4992, 
1.4 	subdivision 2; 17.81, by adding a subdivision; 18.77, subdivision 12, by adding 
1.5 	subdivisions; 18.771; 18.79, subdivision 2; 18.81, subdivision 3; 18.82; 18.83, 
1.6 	subdivision 3; 18.86; 18.91, subdivision 2; 18C.005, subdivisions 6, 6a, 25, 33, 
1.7 	by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 18.79, 
1.8 	subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 18C; 
1.9 	repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 18.77, subdivision 14; 28A.075.
1.10 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.11 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.4986, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.12 		Subd. 2.Licensed facilities. (a) The commissioner shall issue transportation permits to 
1.13 	import:
1.14 	(1) indigenous and naturalized species except trout, salmon, catfish, or species on the 
1.15 	VHS-susceptible-species list and sperm from any source to a standard facility;
1.16 	(2) trout, salmon, catfish, or species on the VHS-susceptible-species list from a 
1.17 	nonemergency enzootic disease area to a containment facility if the fish are certified within 
1.18 	the previous year to be free of certifiable diseases, except that eggs with enteric redmouth, 
1.19 	whirling disease, or furunculosis from sources that test positive for Yersinia ruckeri, 
1.20 	Myxobolus cerebralis, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, Aeromonas salmonicida, epizootic 
1.21 	epitheliotropic disease virus, or viral hemorrhagic septicemia may be imported following 
1.22 	treatment approved by the commissioner, and fish with bacterial kidney disease or viral 
1.23 	hemorrhagic septicemia or eggs from sources that test positive for Renibacterium 
1.24 	salmoninarum may be imported into areas where the disease pathogen has been identified 
1.25 	as being present; and
2.1 	(3) trout, salmon, catfish, or species on the VHS-susceptible-species list from a facility 
2.2 	in a nonemergency enzootic disease area with a disease-free history of three years or more 
2.3 	to a standard facility, except that eggs with enteric redmouth, whirling disease, or furunculosis
2.4 	from sources that test positive for Yersinia ruckeri, Myxobolus cerebralis, Tetracapsuloides 
2.5 	bryosalmonae, Aeromonas salmonicida, epizootic epitheliotropic disease virus, or viral 
2.6 	hemorrhagic septicemia may be imported following treatment approved by the commissioner, 
2.7 	and fish with bacterial kidney disease or viral hemorrhagic septicemia or eggs from sources 
2.8 	that test positive for Renibacterium salmoninarum may be imported into areas where the 
2.9 	disease pathogen has been identified as being present.
2.10 	(b) If a source facility in a nonemergency enzootic disease area cannot demonstrate a 
2.11 	history free from disease, aquatic life may only be imported into a quarantine facility.

2.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.4986, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.13 		Subd. 3.Emergency enzootic disease area. (a) Except as provided under paragraph 
2.14 	(b) and as otherwise provided and except that eggs with enteric redmouth, whirling disease, 
2.15 	or furunculosis may be imported following treatment approved by the commissioner, and 
2.16 	fish with bacterial kidney disease may be imported into areas where the disease has been 
2.17 	previously introduced, fish may be imported from emergency enzootic disease areas only 
2.18 	as fertilized eggs under the following conditions:
2.19 	(1) to be imported into a standard facility, fertilized eggs must have a disease-free history 
2.20 	for at least five years;
2.21 	(2) to be imported into a containment facility, fertilized eggs must have a disease-free 
2.22 	history for at least three years; or
2.23 	(3) to be imported into a quarantine facility, fertilized eggs may have a disease-free 
2.24 	history of less than three years.
2.25 	(b) Eggs from sources that test positive for Yersinia ruckeri, Myxobolus cerebralis, 
2.26 	Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, Aeromonas salmonicida, epizootic epitheliotropic disease 
2.27 	virus, or viral hemorrhagic septicemia may be imported following treatment approved by 
2.28 	the commissioner. Fish or eggs from sources that test positive for Renibacterium 
2.29 	salmoninarum may be imported into areas where the pathogen has been identified as being 
2.30 	present.

3.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.4987, is amended to read:
3.2 	17.4987 STOCKING PRIVATE AQUATIC LIFE.
3.3 	(a) A person may not release private aquatic life into public waters that are not licensed 
3.4 	as part of an aquatic farm without first obtaining a transportation permit from the 
3.5 	commissioner. The commissioner may:
3.6 	(1) deny issuance of a permit if releasing the private aquatic life is not consistent with 
3.7 	the management plan for the public waters; and
3.8 	(2) approve the import, transport, and stocking of fish with bacterial kidney disease or 
3.9 	viral hemorrhagic septicemia or eggs from sources that test positive for Renibacterium 
3.10 	salmoninarum into areas or waters where either disease the pathogen has been identified 
3.11 	as being present.
3.12 	(b) The commissioner shall make management plans available to the public.
3.13 	(c) If a permit is denied, the commissioner must provide reasons for the denial in writing.

3.14 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.4992, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.15 		Subd. 2.Restriction on the sale of fish. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), species 
3.16 	on the VHS-susceptible-species list must be free of viral hemorrhagic septicemia and species 
3.17 	of the family salmonidae or ictaluridae, except bullheads, must be free of certifiable diseases 
3.18 	if sold for stocking or transfer to another aquatic farm.
3.19 	(b) The following exceptions apply to paragraph (a):
3.20 	(1) eggs with enteric redmouth, whirling disease, or furunculosis from sources that test 
3.21 	positive for Yersinia ruckeri, Myxobolus cerebralis, Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, 
3.22 	Aeromonas salmonicida, epizootic epitheliotropic disease virus, or viral hemorrhagic 
3.23 	septicemia may be transferred between licensed facilities or stocked following treatment 
3.24 	approved by the commissioner;
3.25 	(2) fish with bacterial kidney disease or viral hemorrhagic septicemia or eggs from 
3.26 	sources that test positive for Renibacterium salmoninarum may be transferred between 
3.27 	licensed facilities or stocked in areas where the disease pathogen has been identified as 
3.28 	being present; and
3.29 	(3) the commissioner may allow transfer between licensed facilities or stocking of fish 
3.30 	with enteric redmouth or furunculosis from facilities that test positive for Yersinia ruckeri
3.31 	or Aeromonas salmonicida when the commissioner determines that doing so would pose 
3.32 	no threat to the state's aquatic resources.

4.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.81, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
4.2 	read:
4.3 		Subd. 4a.Agrivoltaic system. "Agrivoltaic system" means the simultaneous integration 
4.4 	of farming, as defined in section 41C.02, subdivision 10, and solar energy generation on 
4.5 	the same land.

4.6 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.77, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
4.7 	read:
4.8 		Subd. 3b.Cultivated variety or cultivar. "Cultivated variety" or "cultivar" means a 
4.9 	named plant variety that is clonally propagated to maintain genetic uniformity.

4.10 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.77, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
4.11 	read:
4.12 		Subd. 11a.Plant variety. "Plant variety" means a more precisely defined group of plants, 
4.13 	selected from within a species, with a common set of characteristics.

4.14 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.77, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
4.15 	read:
4.16 		Subd. 11b.Propagate. "Propagate" means to cause or continue to increase by sexual or 
4.17 	asexual reproduction. Propagate includes but is not limited to germination by seed; 
4.18 	regeneration of vegetative parts such as roots, stems, or leaves; and the removal of plants 
4.19 	from one location and replanting at another location.

4.20 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.77, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
4.21 		Subd. 12.Propagating parts. "Propagating parts" means all plant parts, including seeds,
4.22 	that are capable of producing new plants.

4.23 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.77, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
4.24 	read:
4.25 		Subd. 18.Reasonable grounds. "Reasonable grounds" means a report, a complaint, 
4.26 	direct observation, or circumstantial evidence, such as the nearby presence of noxious weeds, 
4.27 	a history of noxious weed infestation, or other evidence from which a reasonable person 
4.28 	acting in good faith might infer the presence of noxious weeds.

5.1 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.771, is amended to read:
5.2 	18.771 NOXIOUS WEED CATEGORIES.
5.3 		Subdivision 1.Noxious weed categories. (a) For purposes of designation under section 
5.4 	18.79, subdivision 13, noxious weed category means each of the following categories:
5.5 	(1) the prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds category;
5.6 	(2) the prohibited-control noxious weeds category;
5.7 	(3) the restricted noxious weeds category;
5.8 	(4) the specially regulated plants category; and
5.9 	(5) the county noxious weeds category.
5.10 	(b) The "prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds" category includes noxious weeds that 
5.11 	must be eradicated on all lands within the state. Transportation of the propagating parts of 
5.12 	prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds is prohibited except as allowed under section 18.82. 
5.13 	Prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds mayand their propagating parts must not be imported 
5.14 	into Minnesota, sold or, propagated, or transported in Minnesota, except as allowed under 
5.15 	section 18.82. Noxious weeds that are designated as prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds 
5.16 	and placed on the prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds list are plants that are not currently 
5.17 	known to be present in Minnesota or are not widely established in the state. All 
5.18 	prohibited-eradicate noxious weeds must be eradicated.
5.19 	(c) The "prohibited-control noxious weeds" category includes noxious weeds that must 
5.20 	be controlled on all lands within the state. Transportation of the propagating parts of 
5.21 	prohibited-control noxious weeds is prohibited Prohibited-control noxious weeds and their 
5.22 	propagating parts must not be imported into Minnesota or sold, propagated, or transported 
5.23 	in the state, except as allowed under section 18.82. Prohibited-control noxious weeds may 
5.24 	not be propagated or sold in Minnesota. Noxious weeds that are designated as 
5.25 	prohibited-control noxious weeds and placed on the prohibited-control noxious weeds list 
5.26 	are plants that are already established throughout the state or regions of the state. At a 
5.27 	minimum, these species must be controlled in a way that prevents spread of these species 
5.28 	by seed or vegetative means.
5.29 	(d) The "restricted noxious weeds" category includes noxious weeds and their propagating 
5.30 	parts that may must not be propagated, imported into Minnesota, sold, or transported in the 
5.31 	state, except as allowed by permit under section 18.82. Noxious weeds that are designated 
5.32 	as restricted and placed on the restricted list may be plants that are widely distributed in 
5.33 	Minnesota and for which a requirement of eradication or control would not be feasible on 
6.1 	a statewide basis using existing practices. The commissioner may establish a nursery 
6.2 	production phase-out period for species that will be designated "restricted."
6.3 	(e) The "specially regulated plants" category includes noxious weeds that may be native 
6.4 	species or nonnative species that have demonstrated economic value clearly defined benefits, 
6.5 	but also have the potential to cause harm in noncontrolled environments. Plants designated 
6.6 	as specially regulated have been determined to pose ecological, economical, or human or 
6.7 	animal health concerns. Species-specific management plans or rules that define the use and 
6.8 	management requirements for these plants must be developed by the commissioner of 
6.9 	agriculture for each plant designated as specially regulated. The commissioner must also 
6.10 	take measures to minimize the potential for harm caused by these plants.
6.11 	(f) The "county noxious weeds" category includes noxious weeds that are designated 
6.12 	by individual county boards to be enforced as prohibited noxious weeds within the county's 
6.13 	jurisdiction and must be approved by the commissioner of agriculture, in consultation with 
6.14 	the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee. Each county board must submit newly proposed 
6.15 	county noxious weeds to the commissioner of agriculture for review. Approved county 
6.16 	noxious weeds shall must also be posted with the county's general weed notice prior to May 
6.17 	15 each year. Counties are solely responsible for developing county noxious weed lists and 
6.18 	their enforcement.
6.19 		Subd. 2.Exemptions. The commissioner may designate a specific plant variety, including 
6.20 	a cultivated variety, as exempt from subdivision 1 if the commissioner finds that, based on 
6.21 	credible and sufficient documentation, the variety is bred for low seeding, the variety is 
6.22 	sterile, or, for reasons other than low seeding or sterility, the variety has low invasive 
6.23 	potential.

6.24 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.79, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
6.25 		Subd. 2.Authorized agents. County agricultural inspectors may administer and enforce 
6.26 	sections 18.76 to 18.91. A county-designated employee may enforce sections 18.78, 18.82, 
6.27 	18.83, 18.84, 18.86, and 18.87. A county must make the identity of a county-designated 
6.28 	employee described by this subdivision available to the public. County agricultural inspectors, 
6.29 	county-designated employees, local weed inspectors, and assistant weed inspectors serve 
6.30 	as authorized agents of the commissioner for their jurisdictions. A county agricultural 
6.31 	inspector or a county-designated employee must be responsible for the duties and enforcement 
6.32 	of sections 18.78, 18.81, 18.82, 18.83, 18.84, 18.86, and 18.87. A county must make the 
6.33 	identity of a county agricultural inspector or county-designated employee available to the 
6.34 	public. A local weed inspector or the inspector's assistant must be responsible for the duties 
7.1 	and enforcement of sections 18.78, subdivision 1; 18.81, subdivision 2; 18.82; 18.83; 18.84; 
7.2 	18.86; and 18.87 for a municipality.

7.3 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 18.79, subdivision 3, is amended 
7.4 	to read:
7.5 		Subd. 3.Entry upon land. To administer and enforce sections 18.76 to 18.91, an 
7.6 	inspector or county-designated employee shall must contact a landowner through direct 
7.7 	communication prior to entering upon the land for a noxious weed inspection. If a landowner 
7.8 	cannot be contacted, an inspector or county-designated employee may enter upon land 
7.9 	without consent of the owner and without being subject to an action for trespass or any 
7.10 	damages. For the purposes of this subdivision, "direct communication" may include contact 
7.11 	with the landowner through an in-person visit, phone call, voice mail, text message, mail, 
7.12 	or email. A landowner cannot must not refuse an inspector or county-designated employee 
7.13 	having probable cause to conduct an inspection for noxious weeds who has reasonable 
7.14 	grounds as defined in section 18.77, subdivision 18, to believe that noxious weeds may be 
7.15 	present on their lands. Within five business days of a completed inspection, the inspector 
7.16 	or county-designated employee shall must provide the landowner with a copy of the 
7.17 	inspection report, including further actions if applicable.

7.18 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.81, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
7.19 		Subd. 3.Nonperformance by inspectors; reimbursement for expenses. If local weed 
7.20 	inspectors neglect or fail to do their duty as prescribed in this section, the county agricultural 
7.21 	inspector or county-designated employee, in consultation with the commissioner, may issue 
7.22 	a notice to the inspector providing instructions on how and when to do their duty. If, after 
7.23 	the time allowed in the notice, the local weed inspector has not complied as directed, the 
7.24 	county agricultural inspector or county-designated employee may consult with the 
7.25 	commissioner county attorney or county board to perform the duty for the local weed 
7.26 	inspector. A claim for the expense of doing the local weed inspector's duty is a legal charge 
7.27 	against the municipality in which the inspector has jurisdiction. The county agricultural 
7.28 	inspector or county-designated employee overseeing the work may file an itemized statement 
7.29 	of costs with the clerk of the municipality in which the work was performed. The municipality 
7.30 	shall must immediately issue proper warrants to the county for the work performed. If the 
7.31 	municipality fails to issue the warrants, the county auditor may include the amount contained 
7.32 	in the itemized statement of costs as part of the next annual tax levy in the municipality and 
7.33 	withhold that amount from the municipality in making its next apportionment.

8.1 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.82, is amended to read:
8.2 	18.82 TRANSPORTATION OR POSSESSION OF NOXIOUS WEED 
8.3 	PROPAGATING PARTS.
8.4 		Subdivision 1.Permits required. Transporting noxious weed propagating parts without 
8.5 	a permit on public roads in the state or possessing noxious weed propagating parts in the 
8.6 	state without a permit is prohibited, except as provided in section 21.74.
8.7 		Subd. 1a.Permits. (a) If a person wants to transport noxious weed propagating parts 
8.8 	along on a public roadway road, including materials or equipment containing the propagating 
8.9 	parts of noxious weeds, the person must secure a written permit for transportation from the 
8.10 	commissioner, an inspector, or a county-designated employee. Inspectors or 
8.11 	county-designated employees may issue permits to persons residing or operating within 
8.12 	their jurisdiction. A permit is not required for the transport of noxious weeds for the purpose 
8.13 	of destroying propagating parts at an appropriate disposal site. Anyone transporting noxious 
8.14 	weed propagating parts for the purpose of disposal at an appropriate disposal site shall must
8.15 	ensure that all materials are contained in a manner that prevents escape during transport 
8.16 	and complies with section 115A.931.
8.17 	(b) A person must obtain a permit from the commissioner before possessing noxious 
8.18 	weeds with propagating parts for research, education and outreach, or other reasons approved 
8.19 	by the commissioner.
8.20 		Subd. 2.Conditions of permit issuance. The following conditions must be met before 
8.21 	a permit under subdivision 1 may be issued: Any person requesting a permit under 
8.22 	subdivision 1a must provide the following information in writing to the commissioner, an 
8.23 	inspector, or a county-designated employee for a specific jurisdiction before the 
8.24 	commissioner, inspector, or county-designated employee issues a permit under this section:
8.25 	(1) any material or equipment containing noxious weed propagating parts that is about 
8.26 	to be transported along a public roadway must be in a container that is sufficiently tight and 
8.27 	closed or otherwise covered to prevent the blowing or scattering of the material along the 
8.28 	highway or on other lands or water;
8.29 	(2) the destination for unloading and the use of the material or equipment containing 
8.30 	noxious weed propagating parts must be stated on the permit along with the method that 
8.31 	will be used to destroy the viability of the propagating parts and thereby prevent the material 
8.32 	being dumped or scattered upon land or water; and
9.1 	(3) the applicant for a permit for possession of noxious weed propagating parts must 
9.2 	agree to follow the guidelines listed on the permit by the inspector.
9.3 	(1) a description of the process that the person will use to ensure that the exterior of any 
9.4 	vehicle or equipment being used for transportation is free from noxious weed materials and 
9.5 	their propagating parts;
9.6 	(2) a description of the manner in which the person will securely contain noxious weed 
9.7 	materials and their propagating parts to prevent the escape of noxious weed materials and 
9.8 	their propagating parts during transport in compliance with section 115A.931;
9.9 	(3) a description of the specific locations where research will occur and a description of 
9.10 	how the location is designed to prevent the escape of noxious weed materials and their 
9.11 	propagating parts;
9.12 	(4) a description of the established processes that the person will use to monitor and 
9.13 	protect research locations from the escape of noxious weed materials and their propagating 
9.14 	parts during research and after the research is completed;
9.15 	(5) a description of the purpose of using noxious weed materials, such as a description 
9.16 	of how the noxious weed materials will be used for education and outreach, and how 
9.17 	containers holding the materials will be designed to prevent the escape of the noxious weed 
9.18 	materials and their propagating parts;
9.19 	(6) a description of the process for destroying noxious weed materials and their 
9.20 	propagating parts after the completion of use according to the permit;
9.21 	(7) a description of the location where noxious weed materials and their propagating 
9.22 	parts will be destroyed after the completion of use according to the permit; and
9.23 	(8) any specific information required by the commissioner.
9.24 		Subd. 3.Duration of permit; inspection; revocation. A permit under subdivision 1 1a
9.25 	is valid for up to one year after the date it is issued unless otherwise specified by the 
9.26 	commissioner, inspector, or county-designated employee issuing the permit. Any person 
9.27 	receiving a permit must allow inspection by the issuing authority to ensure that all permit 
9.28 	requirements are met. The permit may be revoked if an the commissioner, inspector, or 
9.29 	county-designated employee determines that the applicant has not complied with this section.
9.30 		Subd. 4.Appeal of order revoking permit. (a) A person must notify the commissioner 
9.31 	in writing within 20 days of receiving the order revoking a permit that the person intends 
9.32 	to contest the order.
10.1 	(b) If a person fails to notify the commissioner within 20 days of receiving the order 
10.2 	revoking a permit that the person intends to contest the order, the order is final and not 
10.3 	subject to further judicial or administrative review.
10.4 	(c) If a person notifies the commissioner that the person intends to contest a revocation 
10.5 	order issued under subdivision 3, the Court of Administrative Hearings must conduct a 
10.6 	hearing in accordance with sections 14.50 to 14.62.
10.7 	(d) A person seeking to appeal a revocation order issued under subdivision 3 for a permit 
10.8 	issued by an inspector or a county-designated employee must file the appeal with the county 
10.9 	appeal committee and follow the process established in section 18.83, subdivision 3, 
10.10 	paragraph (a).

10.11 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.83, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
10.12 		Subd. 3.Appeal of individual notice or permit revocation; appeal committee. (1)
10.13 	(a) A recipient of an individual notice may appeal, in writing, the order for control or 
10.14 	eradication of noxious weeds. This appeal must be filed with a member of the appeal 
10.15 	committee in the county where the land is located within two working days of the time the 
10.16 	notice is received. The committee must inspect the land specified in the notice and report 
10.17 	back to the recipient and the inspector or county-designated employee who issued the notice 
10.18 	within five working days, either agreeing with, disagreeing with, or revising the order. The 
10.19 	decision may be appealed in district court. If the committee agrees with or revises the order, 
10.20 	the control or eradication specified in the order, as approved or revised by the committee, 
10.21 	may be carried out.
10.22 	(b) A person seeking to appeal an order revoking a permit issued under section 18.82, 
10.23 	subdivision 3, by an inspector or county-designated employee must appeal the order for 
10.24 	revocation in writing. The person must file the appeal with a member of the appeal committee 
10.25 	in the county where the land is located within two working days of the day when the notice 
10.26 	was received. The committee must respond by inspecting the location or transporting vehicle 
10.27 	where the person possessed or transported noxious weed materials and propagating parts. 
10.28 	After inspection, the committee must report to the recipient and the inspector or 
10.29 	county-designated employee who issued the notice within five working days, either agreeing 
10.30 	with, disagreeing with, or revising the order. A person may appeal a decision under this 
10.31 	paragraph in district court.
10.32 	(2) (c) The county board shall must appoint members of the appeal committee. The 
10.33 	membership must include a county commissioner or municipal official and a landowner 
10.34 	residing in the county. The expenses of the members may be reimbursed by the county upon 
11.1 	submission of an itemized statement to the county auditor. At its option, the county board, 
11.2 	by resolution, may delegate the duties of the appeal committee to its board of adjustment 
11.3 	established pursuant to section 394.27. When carrying out the duties of the appeal committee, 
11.4 	the zoning board of adjustment shall must comply with all of the procedural requirements 
11.5 	of this section.

11.6 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.86, is amended to read:
11.7 	18.86 UNLAWFUL ACTS.
11.8 	No person may:
11.9 	(1) hinder or obstruct in any way an inspector or county-designated employee in the 
11.10 	performance of duties under sections 18.76 to 18.91 or related rules;
11.11 	(2) neglect, fail, or refuse to comply with section 18.82or related rules in the 
11.12 	transportation and use of material or equipment infested with noxious weed propagating 
11.13 	parts;
11.14 	(3) sell material containing noxious weed propagating parts to a person who does not 
11.15 	have a permit to transport that material or to a person who does not have a screenings permit 
11.16 	issued in accordance with section 21.74; or
11.17 	(4) neglect, fail, or refuse to comply with a general notice or an individual notice to 
11.18 	control or eradicate noxious weeds.

11.19 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18.91, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
11.20 		Subd. 2.Membership. The commissioner shall must appoint and approve members, 
11.21 	which shall include who have successfully completed the application process with the 
11.22 	secretary of state, including representatives from the following:
11.23 	(1) the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota;
11.24 	(2) the Department of Agronomy at the University of Minnesota;
11.25 	(3) the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota;
11.26 	(4) the nursery and landscape industry in Minnesota;
11.27 	(5) the seed industry in Minnesota;
11.28 	(6) the Department of Agriculture;
11.29 	(7) the Department of Natural Resources;
12.1 	(8) a conservation organization;
12.2 	(9) an environmental organization;
12.3 	(10) at least two farm organizations;
12.4 	(11) the county agricultural inspectors;
12.5 	(12) city governments;
12.6 	(13) township governments;
12.7 	(14) county governments;
12.8 	(15) the Department of Transportation;
12.9 	(16) the University of Minnesota Extension;
12.10 	(17) the timber and forestry industry in Minnesota;
12.11 	(18) the Board of Water and Soil Resources;
12.12 	(19) soil and water conservation districts;
12.13 	(20) the Minnesota Association of County Land Commissioners; and
12.14 	(21) other members as needed.

12.15 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18C.005, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
12.16 		Subd. 6.Compost. "Compost" is a biologically stable material derived from the 
12.17 	composting process has the meaning given in section 18C.132, subdivision 1.

12.18 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18C.005, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:
12.19 		Subd. 6a.Composting. "Composting" is the biological decomposition of organic matter. 
12.20 	It is accomplished by mixing and piling in such a way as to promote aerobic or anaerobic 
12.21 	decay or both. The process inhibits pathogens, viable weed seeds, and odors has the meaning 
12.22 	given in section 18C.132, subdivision 2.

12.23 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18C.005, subdivision 25, is amended to read:
12.24 		Subd. 25.Plant amendment. "Plant amendment" means a substance applied to plants 
12.25 	or seeds that is intended to improve germination, growth, yield, product quality, reproduction, 
12.26 	flavor, or other desirable characteristics of plants, including beneficial substances and plant 
12.27 	biostimulants, except fertilizers, soil amendments, agricultural liming materials, pesticides, 
12.28 	and other materials that are exempted by rule.

13.1 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18C.005, is amended by adding a subdivision 
13.2 	to read:
13.3 		Subd. 25a.Plant biostimulant. "Plant biostimulant" means a substance, microorganism, 
13.4 	or mixture thereof that, when applied to seeds, plants, the rhizosphere, soil, or other growth 
13.5 	media, supports a plant's natural nutrition processes independently of the biostimulant's 
13.6 	nutrient content and improves nutrient availability, uptake, or use efficiency, tolerance to 
13.7 	abiotic stress, and consequent growth, development, quality, or yield.

13.8 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18C.005, subdivision 33, is amended to read:
13.9 		Subd. 33.Soil amendment. "Soil amendment" means a substance intended to improve 
13.10 	the structural, physical, chemical, biochemical, or biological characteristics of the soil or 
13.11 	modify organic matter at or near the soil surface, including beneficial substances, except 
13.12 	fertilizers, agricultural liming materials, pesticides, and other materials exempted by the 
13.13 	commissioner's rules.

13.14 	Sec. 24. [18C.132] COMPOST AND COMPOSTING.
13.15 		Subdivision 1.Compost. "Compost" is the product manufactured through the controlled 
13.16 	aerobic, biological decomposition of biodegradable materials. The product has undergone 
13.17 	mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures, which significantly reduces the viability of 
13.18 	pathogens and weed seeds and stabilizes the carbon such that it is beneficial to plant growth. 
13.19 	Compost is typically used as a soil amendment but may also contribute plant nutrients.
13.20 		Subd. 2.Composting. "Composting" is the biological decomposition of organic matter. 
13.21 	Composting is accomplished by mixing and piling in such a way as to promote aerobic or 
13.22 	anaerobic decay, or both. Composting is a process that inhibits pathogens, viable weed 
13.23 	seeds, and odors.

13.24 	Sec. 25. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 13.25 	The revisor of statutes must renumber the subdivisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.26 	18.77, listed in column A to the references listed in column B. The revisor must make 
13.27 	necessary cross-reference changes in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules consistent 
13.28 	with the renumbering.

13.29		Column A
	Column B
	
13.30		subdivision 2a
	subdivision 2e
	
13.31		subdivision 2b
	subdivision 2f
	
13.32		subdivision 13
	subdivision 8b
	
14.1		subdivision 15
	subdivision 2d
	
14.2		subdivision 16
	subdivision 2c
	
14.3		subdivision 17
	subdivision 5b

14.4 	Sec. 26. REPEALER.
 14.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 18.77, subdivision 14; and 28A.075, are repealed.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H4350-1 

18.77 DEFINITIONS.Subd. 14.Cooperative weed management areas or CWMAs. 
"Cooperative weed management areas" or "CWMAs" means partnership organizations formed with the goal of managing invasive plants across jurisdictional and land ownership boundaries through collective planning and sharing of knowledge and resources. 

28A.075 DELEGATION TO LOCAL COMMUNITY HEALTH BOARD.
(a) At the request of a local community health board that licensed and inspected grocery and convenience stores on January 1, 1999, the commissioner must enter into agreements before January 1, 2001, with local community health boards to delegate to the appropriate local community health board the licensing and inspection duties of the commissioner pertaining to retail food handlers that are grocery or convenience stores. At the request of a local community health board that licensed and inspected part of any grocery or convenience store on January 1, 1999, the commissioner must enter into agreements before July 1, 2001, with local community health boards to delegate to the appropriate local community health board the licensing and inspection duties of the commissioner pertaining to retail food handlers that are grocery or convenience stores. At any time thereafter, the commissioner may enter into an agreement with a local community health board that licensed and inspected all or part of any grocery or convenience store on January 1, 1999, to delegate to the appropriate local community health board the licensing and inspection duties of the commissioner pertaining to retail food handlers such as grocery or convenience stores. Retail food handlers inspected under the state meat inspection program of chapter 31A are exempt from delegation. 

(b) A local community health board must adopt an ordinance consistent with the Minnesota Food Code, Minnesota Rules, chapter 4626, for all of its jurisdiction to regulate retail food handlers and the ordinance (Food Code) must not be in conflict with standards set in law or rule. 

(c) A fee to recover the estimated costs of enforcement of this chapter must be established by ordinance and must be fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the actual cost of the licensing and inspection services. The fee must only be maintained and used for the estimated costs of enforcing this chapter.