1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; modifying agriculture policy provisions; modifying farm 
1.3 	down payment assistance provisions; modifying seed potato provisions; modifying 
1.4 	fees; allowing eggs to be donated past their quality assurance date; requiring 
1.5 	reports; modifying prior appropriations; appropriating money;amending Minnesota 
1.6 	Statutes 2024, sections 17.458, subdivision 1; 18J.01; 18J.02; 18J.03; 18J.04, 
1.7 	subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 18J.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 6; 18J.06; 18J.07, subdivisions 
1.8 	3, 4, 5; 18J.09; 18K.02, subdivisions 5, 6; 18K.04, subdivision 1; 21.111; 21.112, 
1.9 	by adding a subdivision; 21.113; 21.115; 21.117; 21.119; 21.1195; 21.891, 
1.10 	subdivision 2; 28A.0752; 29.21, by adding a subdivision; 29.26; 32D.30, 
1.11 	subdivision 5; 41A.19; 41B.048, subdivisions 2, 4, 5, by adding subdivisions; 
1.12 	583.215; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 17.1017, subdivision 9; 
1.13 	17.133, subdivisions 1, 2; 28A.04, subdivision 1; 28A.08, subdivision 3; Laws 
1.14 	2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 4, as amended, 5, as amended; 
1.15 	Laws 2025, chapter 34, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 2, 3, as amended, 4, as 
1.16 	amended; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 21; 
1.17 	repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 18K.02, subdivision 7; 18K.03, 
1.18 	subdivision 2; 28A.075.
1.19 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.20 	ARTICLE 1
1.21 	AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS

1.22 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH 
1.23 	INSTITUTE.
 1.24 	$80,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the Agricultural 
1.25 	Utilization Research Institute for legal costs. This is a onetime appropriation and is available 
1.26 	until June 30, 2029.

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

2.1 	Sec. 2. Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 
2.2 	2024, chapter 126, article 1, section 1, and Laws 2025, chapter 34, article 1, section 9, is 
2.3 	amended to read:

2.4
2.5	Subd. 4.Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Bioproduct 
Advancement
 		34,034,000
		38,159,000
	
2.6 	(a) $10,702,000 the first year and $10,702,000 
2.7 	the second year are for the agriculture 
2.8 	research, education, extension, and technology 
2.9 	transfer program under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.10 	section 41A.14. Except as provided below, 
2.11 	the appropriation each year is for transfer to 
2.12 	the agriculture research, education, extension, 
2.13 	and technology transfer account under 
2.14 	Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14, 
2.15 	subdivision 3, and the commissioner shall 
2.16 	transfer funds each year to the Board of 
2.17 	Regents of the University of Minnesota for 
2.18 	purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.19 	41A.14. To the extent practicable, money 
2.20 	expended under Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.21 	41A.14, subdivision 1, clauses (1) and (2), 
2.22 	must supplement and not supplant existing 
2.23 	sources and levels of funding. The 
2.24 	commissioner may use up to one percent of 
2.25 	this appropriation for costs incurred to 
2.26 	administer the program.
2.27 	Of the amount appropriated for the agriculture 
2.28 	research, education, extension, and technology 
2.29 	transfer grant program under Minnesota 
2.30 	Statutes, section 41A.14:
2.31 	(1) $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the 
2.32 	second year are for the Minnesota Agricultural 
2.33 	Experiment Station's agriculture rapid 
2.34 	response fund under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.35 	section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clause (2);
3.1 	(2) up to $1,000,000 the first year and up to 
3.2 	$1,000,000 the second year are for research 
3.3 	on avian influenza, salmonella, and other 
3.4 	turkey-related diseases and disease prevention 
3.5 	measures;
3.6 	(3) $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000 
3.7 	the second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
3.8 	Agricultural Education Leadership Council to 
3.9 	enhance agricultural education with priority 
3.10 	given to Farm Business Management 
3.11 	challenge grants;
3.12 	(4) $450,000 the first year is for the cultivated 
3.13 	wild rice breeding project at the North Central 
3.14 	Research and Outreach Center to include a 
3.15 	tenure track/research associate plant breeder;
3.16 	(5) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the 
3.17 	second year are for potato breeding;
3.18 	(6) $802,000 the first year and $802,000 the 
3.19 	second year are to fund the Forever Green 
3.20 	Initiative and protect the state's natural 
3.21 	resources while increasing the efficiency, 
3.22 	profitability, and productivity of Minnesota 
3.23 	farmers by incorporating perennial and 
3.24 	winter-annual crops into existing agricultural 
3.25 	practices. The base for the allocation under 
3.26 	this clause is $802,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
3.27 	each year thereafter. By February 1 each year, 
3.28 	the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural 
3.29 	and Natural Resource Sciences must submit 
3.30 	a report to the chairs and ranking minority 
3.31 	members of the legislative committees with 
3.32 	jurisdiction over agriculture finance and policy 
3.33 	and higher education detailing uses of the 
3.34 	funds in this paragraph, including 
4.1 	administrative costs, and the achievements 
4.2 	these funds contributed to;
4.3 	(7) $350,000 each year is for farm-scale winter 
4.4 	greenhouse research and development 
4.5 	coordinated by University of Minnesota 
4.6 	Extension Regional Sustainable Development 
4.7 	Partnerships. The allocation in this clause is 
4.8 	onetime;
4.9 	(8) $200,000 the second year is for research 
4.10 	on natural stands of wild rice; and
4.11 	(9) $250,000 the second year is for the 
4.12 	cultivated wild rice forward selection project 
4.13 	at the North Central Research and Outreach 
4.14 	Center, including a tenure track or research 
4.15 	associate plant scientist.
4.16 	(b) The base for the agriculture research, 
4.17 	education, extension, and technology transfer 
4.18 	program is $10,352,000 in fiscal year 2026 
4.19 	and $10,352,000 in fiscal year 2027.
4.20 	(c) $23,332,000 the first year is for the 
4.21 	agricultural growth, research, and innovation 
4.22 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
4.23 	41A.12. Except as provided below, the 
4.24 	commissioner may allocate this appropriation 
4.25 	among the following areas: facilitating the 
4.26 	start-up, modernization, improvement, or 
4.27 	expansion of livestock operations, including 
4.28 	beginning and transitioning livestock 
4.29 	operations with preference given to robotic 
4.30 	dairy-milking equipment; assisting 
4.31 	value-added agricultural businesses to begin 
4.32 	or expand, to access new markets, or to 
4.33 	diversify, including aquaponics systems, with 
4.34 	preference given to hemp fiber processing 
5.1 	equipment; facilitating the start-up, 
5.2 	modernization, or expansion of other 
5.3 	beginning and transitioning farms, including 
5.4 	by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes, 
5.5 	section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture 
5.6 	on-farm research and demonstration; the 
5.7 	development or expansion of food hubs and 
5.8 	other alternative community-based food 
5.9 	distribution systems; enhancing renewable 
5.10 	energy infrastructure and use; crop research, 
5.11 	including basic and applied turf seed research; 
5.12 	Farm Business Management tuition assistance; 
5.13 	and good agricultural practices and good 
5.14 	handling practices certification assistance. The 
5.15 	commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of 
5.16 	this appropriation for costs incurred to 
5.17 	administer the program.
5.18 	Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural 
5.19 	growth, research, and innovation program 
5.20 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:
5.21 	(1) $1,000,000 the first year is for distribution 
5.22 	in equal amounts to each of the state's county 
5.23 	fairs to preserve and promote Minnesota 
5.24 	agriculture;
5.25 	(2) $5,750,000 the first year is for incentive 
5.26 	payments under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
5.27 	41A.16, 41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20. 
5.28 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
5.29 	16A.28, the first year appropriation is 
5.30 	available until June 30, 2025. If this 
5.31 	appropriation exceeds the total amount for 
5.32 	which all producers are eligible in a fiscal 
5.33 	year, the balance of the appropriation is 
5.34 	available for other purposes under this 
5.35 	paragraph;
6.1 	(3) $3,375,000 the first year is for grants that 
6.2 	enable retail petroleum dispensers, fuel storage 
6.3 	tanks, and other equipment to dispense 
6.4 	biofuels to the public in accordance with the 
6.5 	biofuel replacement goals established under 
6.6 	Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail 
6.7 	petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use 
6.8 	in spark ignition engines for vehicle model 
6.9 	years after 2000 is eligible for grant money 
6.10 	under this clause if the retail petroleum 
6.11 	dispenser has no more than 10 retail petroleum 
6.12 	dispensing sites and each site is located in 
6.13 	Minnesota. The grant money must be used to 
6.14 	replace or upgrade equipment that does not 
6.15 	have the ability to be certified for E25. A grant 
6.16 	award must not exceed 65 percent of the cost 
6.17 	of the appropriate technology. A grant award 
6.18 	must not exceed $200,000 per station. The 
6.19 	commissioner must cooperate with biofuel 
6.20 	stakeholders in the implementation of the grant 
6.21 	program. The commissioner, in cooperation 
6.22 	with any economic or community development 
6.23 	financial institution and any other entity with 
6.24 	which the commissioner contracts, must 
6.25 	submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure 
6.26 	financial assistance program by January 15 of 
6.27 	each year to the chairs and ranking minority 
6.28 	members of the legislative committees and 
6.29 	divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture 
6.30 	policy and finance. The annual report must 
6.31 	include but not be limited to a summary of the 
6.32 	following metrics: (i) the number and types 
6.33 	of projects financed; (ii) the amount of dollars 
6.34 	leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the 
6.35 	geographic distribution of financed projects; 
6.36 	(iv) any market expansion associated with 
7.1 	upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics 
7.2 	of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the 
7.3 	program; and (vii) the number of grants to 
7.4 	minority-owned or female-owned businesses;
7.5 	(4) $1,250,000 the first year is for grants to 
7.6 	facilitate the start-up, modernization, or 
7.7 	expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk 
7.8 	processing facilities. A grant award under this 
7.9 	clause must not exceed $200,000. Any 
7.10 	unencumbered balance at the end of the second 
7.11 	year does not cancel until June 30, 2026, and 
7.12 	may be used for other purposes under this 
7.13 	paragraph;
7.14 	(5) $1,150,000 the first year is for providing 
7.15 	more fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain, 
7.16 	and dairy for children in school and early 
7.17 	childhood education settings, including, at the 
7.18 	commissioner's discretion, providing grants 
7.19 	to reimburse schools and early childhood 
7.20 	education and child care providers for 
7.21 	purchasing equipment and agricultural 
7.22 	products. Organizations must participate in 
7.23 	the National School Lunch Program or the 
7.24 	Child and Adult Care Food Program to be 
7.25 	eligible. Of the amount appropriated, $150,000 
7.26 	is for a statewide coordinator of 
7.27 	farm-to-institution strategy and programming. 
7.28 	The coordinator must consult with relevant 
7.29 	stakeholders and provide technical assistance 
7.30 	and training for participating farmers and 
7.31 	eligible grant recipients;
7.32 	(6) $2,000,000 the first year is for urban youth 
7.33 	agricultural education or urban agriculture 
7.34 	community development;
8.1 	(7) $1,000,000 the first year is for the good 
8.2 	food access program under Minnesota 
8.3 	Statutes, section 17.1017; and
8.4 	(8) $225,000 the first year is to provide grants 
8.5 	to secondary career and technical education 
8.6 	programs for the purpose of offering 
8.7 	instruction in meat cutting and butchery. 
8.8 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
8.9 	16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may 
8.10 	use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for 
8.11 	administrative costs. This is a onetime 
8.12 	appropriation. Grants may be used for costs, 
8.13 	including but not limited to:
8.14 	(i) equipment required for a meat cutting 
8.15 	program;
8.16 	(ii) facility renovation to accommodate meat 
8.17 	cutting; and
8.18 	(iii) training faculty to teach the fundamentals 
8.19 	of meat processing.
8.20 	A grant recipient may be awarded a grant of 
8.21 	up to $75,000 and may use up to ten percent 
8.22 	of the grant for faculty training. Priority may 
8.23 	be given to applicants who are coordinating 
8.24 	with meat cutting and butchery programs at 
8.25 	Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 
8.26 	institutions or with local industry partners.
8.27 	By January 15, 2025, the commissioner must 
8.28 	report to the chairs and ranking minority 
8.29 	members of the legislative committees with 
8.30 	jurisdiction over agriculture finance and 
8.31 	education finance by listing the grants made 
8.32 	under this paragraph by county and noting the 
8.33 	number and amount of grant requests not 
8.34 	fulfilled. The report may include additional 
9.1 	information as determined by the 
9.2 	commissioner, including but not limited to 
9.3 	information regarding the outcomes produced 
9.4 	by these grants. If additional grants are 
9.5 	awarded under this paragraph that were not 
9.6 	covered in the report due by January 15, 2025, 
9.7 	the commissioner must submit an additional 
9.8 	report to the chairs and ranking minority 
9.9 	members of the legislative committees with 
9.10 	jurisdiction over agriculture finance and 
9.11 	education finance regarding all grants issued 
9.12 	under this paragraph by November 1, 2025.
9.13 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
9.14 	16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not 
9.15 	cancel at the end of the first year and is 
9.16 	available for the second year, and 
9.17 	appropriations encumbered under contract on 
9.18 	or before June 30, 2025, for agricultural 
9.19 	growth, research, and innovation grants are 
9.20 	available until June 30, 2028.
9.21 	(d) $27,457,000 the second year is for the 
9.22 	agricultural growth, research, and innovation 
9.23 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
9.24 	41A.12. Except as provided below, the 
9.25 	commissioner may allocate this appropriation 
9.26 	among the following areas: facilitating the 
9.27 	start-up, modernization, improvement, or 
9.28 	expansion of livestock operations, including 
9.29 	beginning and transitioning livestock 
9.30 	operations with preference given to robotic 
9.31 	dairy-milking equipment; assisting 
9.32 	value-added agricultural businesses to begin 
9.33 	or expand, to access new markets, or to 
9.34 	diversify, including aquaponics systems, with 
9.35 	preference given to hemp fiber processing 
10.1 	equipment; facilitating the start-up, 
10.2 	modernization, or expansion of other 
10.3 	beginning and transitioning farms, including 
10.4 	by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes, 
10.5 	section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture 
10.6 	on-farm research and demonstration; the 
10.7 	development or expansion of food hubs and 
10.8 	other alternative community-based food 
10.9 	distribution systems; enhancing renewable 
10.10 	energy infrastructure and use; crop research, 
10.11 	including basic and applied turf seed research; 
10.12 	Farm Business Management tuition assistance; 
10.13 	and good agricultural practices and good 
10.14 	handling practices certification assistance. The 
10.15 	commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of 
10.16 	this appropriation for costs incurred to 
10.17 	administer the program.
10.18 	Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural 
10.19 	growth, research, and innovation program 
10.20 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:
10.21 	(1) $1,000,000 the second year is for 
10.22 	distribution in equal amounts to each of the 
10.23 	state's county fairs to preserve and promote 
10.24 	Minnesota agriculture;
10.25 	(2) $5,750,000 the second year is for incentive 
10.26 	payments under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
10.27 	41A.16, 41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20. 
10.28 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
10.29 	16A.28, this appropriation is available until 
10.30 	June 30, 2027. If this appropriation exceeds 
10.31 	the total amount for which all producers are 
10.32 	eligible in a fiscal year, the balance of the 
10.33 	appropriation is available for other purposes 
10.34 	under this paragraph. The base under this 
11.1 	clause is $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
11.2 	each year thereafter;
11.3 	(3) $3,375,000 the second year is for grants 
11.4 	that enable retail petroleum dispensers, fuel 
11.5 	storage tanks, and other equipment to dispense 
11.6 	biofuels to the public in accordance with the 
11.7 	biofuel replacement goals established under 
11.8 	Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail 
11.9 	petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use 
11.10 	in spark ignition engines for vehicle model 
11.11 	years after 2000 is eligible for grant money 
11.12 	under this clause if the retail petroleum 
11.13 	dispenser has no more than ten retail 
11.14 	petroleum dispensing sites and each site is 
11.15 	located in Minnesota. The grant money must 
11.16 	be used to replace or upgrade equipment that 
11.17 	does not have the ability to be certified for 
11.18 	E25. A grant award must not exceed 65 
11.19 	percent of the cost of the appropriate 
11.20 	technology. A grant award must not exceed 
11.21 	$200,000 per station. The commissioner must 
11.22 	cooperate with biofuel stakeholders in the 
11.23 	implementation of the grant program. The 
11.24 	commissioner, in cooperation with any 
11.25 	economic or community development 
11.26 	financial institution and any other entity with 
11.27 	which the commissioner contracts, must 
11.28 	submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure 
11.29 	financial assistance program by January 15 of 
11.30 	each year to the chairs and ranking minority 
11.31 	members of the legislative committees and 
11.32 	divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture 
11.33 	policy and finance. The annual report must 
11.34 	include but not be limited to a summary of the 
11.35 	following metrics: (i) the number and types 
11.36 	of projects financed; (ii) the amount of money 
12.1 	leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the 
12.2 	geographic distribution of financed projects; 
12.3 	(iv) any market expansion associated with 
12.4 	upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics 
12.5 	of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the 
12.6 	program; and (vii) the number of grants to 
12.7 	minority-owned or female-owned businesses. 
12.8 	The base under this clause is $3,000,000 for 
12.9 	fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter;
12.10 	(4) $1,250,000 the second year is for grants 
12.11 	to facilitate the start-up, modernization, or 
12.12 	expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk 
12.13 	processing facilities. A grant award under this 
12.14 	clause must not exceed $200,000. Any 
12.15 	unencumbered balance at the end of the second 
12.16 	year does not cancel until June 30, 2027, and 
12.17 	may be used for other purposes under this 
12.18 	paragraph. The base under this clause is 
12.19 	$250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year 
12.20 	thereafter;
12.21 	(5) $1,275,000 the second year is for providing 
12.22 	more fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain, 
12.23 	and dairy for children in school and early 
12.24 	childhood education settings, including, at the 
12.25 	commissioner's discretion, providing grants 
12.26 	to reimburse schools and early childhood 
12.27 	education and child care providers for 
12.28 	purchasing equipment and agricultural 
12.29 	products. Organizations must participate in 
12.30 	the National School Lunch Program or the 
12.31 	Child and Adult Care Food Program to be 
12.32 	eligible. Of the amount appropriated, $150,000 
12.33 	is for a statewide coordinator of 
12.34 	farm-to-institution strategy and programming. 
12.35 	The coordinator must consult with relevant 
13.1 	stakeholders and provide technical assistance 
13.2 	and training for participating farmers and 
13.3 	eligible grant recipients. The base under this 
13.4 	clause is $1,294,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
13.5 	each year thereafter;
13.6 	(6) $4,000,000 the second year is for Dairy 
13.7 	Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative 
13.8 	(DAIRI) grants and other forms of financial 
13.9 	assistance to Minnesota dairy farms that enroll 
13.10 	in coverage under a federal dairy risk 
13.11 	protection program and produced no more 
13.12 	than 16,000,000 pounds of milk in 2022. New 
13.13 	dairy farms that did not market milk during 
13.14 	2022 or for only a portion of 2022 are eligible. 
13.15 	The commissioner must make DAIRI 
13.16 	payments based on the amount of milk 
13.17 	produced in 2022, up to 5,000,000 pounds per 
13.18 	participating farm, at a rate determined by the 
13.19 	commissioner within the limits of available 
13.20 	funding. For new dairy farms that did not 
13.21 	market milk during 2022 or for only a portion 
13.22 	of 2022, the commissioner must make DAIRI 
13.23 	payments based on the farm's production 
13.24 	history as established in its dairy risk 
13.25 	protection program enrollment. Any 
13.26 	unencumbered balance on after June 30, 2026, 
13.27 	may be used for other purposes under this 
13.28 	paragraph. The allocation in this clause is 
13.29 	onetime;
13.30 	(7) $2,000,000 the second year is for urban 
13.31 	youth agricultural education or urban 
13.32 	agriculture community development;
13.33 	(8) $1,000,000 the second year is for the good 
13.34 	food access program under Minnesota 
13.35 	Statutes, section 17.1017; and
14.1 	(9) $225,000 the second year is for the 
14.2 	protecting livestock grant program for 
14.3 	producers to support the installation of 
14.4 	measures to prevent the transmission of avian 
14.5 	influenza. For the appropriation in this 
14.6 	paragraph, a grant applicant must document 
14.7 	a cost-share of 20 percent. An applicant's 
14.8 	cost-share amount may be reduced up to 
14.9 	$2,000 to cover time and labor costs. 
14.10 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.11 	16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may 
14.12 	use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for 
14.13 	administrative costs. This appropriation is 
14.14 	available until June 30, 2027. This is a onetime 
14.15 	appropriation.
14.16 	(e) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
14.17 	section 16A.28, the appropriation in paragraph 
14.18 	(d) does not cancel at the end of the second 
14.19 	year and is available until June 30, 2027. 
14.20 	Appropriations encumbered under contract on 
14.21 	or before June 30, 2027, for agricultural 
14.22 	growth, research, and innovation grants are 
14.23 	available until June 30, 2030.
14.24 	(f) The base for the agricultural growth, 
14.25 	research, and innovation program is 
14.26 	$17,582,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year 
14.27 	thereafter and includes $200,000 each year for 
14.28 	cooperative development grants.

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

15.1 	Sec. 3. Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, as amended by Laws 
15.2 	2024, chapter 126, article 1, section 1, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

15.3
15.4	Subd. 5.Administration and Financial 
Assistance
 		16,643,000
		14,587,000
	
15.5 	(a) $474,000 the first year and $474,000 the 
15.6 	second year are for payments to county and 
15.7 	district agricultural societies and associations 
15.8 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02, 
15.9 	subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and 
15.10 	district agricultural societies and associations 
15.11 	must be disbursed no later than July 15 of each 
15.12 	year. These payments are the amount of aid 
15.13 	from the state for an annual fair held in the 
15.14 	previous calendar year.
15.15 	(b) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the 
15.16 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
15.17 	Agricultural Education and Leadership 
15.18 	Council for programs of the council under 
15.19 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D. The base for 
15.20 	this appropriation is $250,000 in fiscal year 
15.21 	2026 and each year thereafter.
15.22 	(c) $2,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
15.23 	Minnesota State Poultry Association. This is 
15.24 	a onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding 
15.25 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any 
15.26 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
15.27 	end of the first year and is available for the 
15.28 	second year.
15.29 	(d) $18,000 the first year and $18,000 the 
15.30 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
15.31 	Livestock Breeders Association. This is a 
15.32 	onetime appropriation.
15.33 	(e) $60,000 the first year and $60,000 the 
15.34 	second year are for grants to the Northern 
16.1 	Crops Institute that may be used to purchase 
16.2 	equipment. This is a onetime appropriation.
16.3 	(f) $34,000 the first year and $34,000 the 
16.4 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
16.5 	State Horticultural Society. This is a onetime 
16.6 	appropriation.
16.7 	(g) $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the 
16.8 	second year are for grants to the Center for 
16.9 	Rural Policy and Development. This is a 
16.10 	onetime appropriation.
16.11 	(h) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the 
16.12 	second year are appropriated from the general 
16.13 	fund to the commissioner of agriculture for 
16.14 	grants to the Minnesota Turf Seed Council for 
16.15 	basic and applied research on: (1) the 
16.16 	improved production of forage and turf seed 
16.17 	related to new and improved varieties; and (2) 
16.18 	native plants, including plant breeding, 
16.19 	nutrient management, pest management, 
16.20 	disease management, yield, and viability. The 
16.21 	Minnesota Turf Seed Council may subcontract 
16.22 	with a qualified third party for some or all of 
16.23 	the basic or applied research. Any 
16.24 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
16.25 	end of the first year and is available in the 
16.26 	second year. The Minnesota Turf Seed Council 
16.27 	must prepare a report outlining the use of the 
16.28 	grant money and related accomplishments. No 
16.29 	later than January 15, 2025, the council must 
16.30 	submit the report to the chairs and ranking 
16.31 	minority members of the legislative 
16.32 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
16.33 	over agriculture finance and policy. This is a 
16.34 	onetime appropriation.
17.1 	(i) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
17.2 	second year are for grants to GreenSeam for 
17.3 	assistance to agriculture-related businesses to 
17.4 	support business retention and development, 
17.5 	business attraction and creation, talent 
17.6 	development and attraction, and regional 
17.7 	branding and promotion. These are onetime 
17.8 	appropriations. No later than December 1, 
17.9 	2024, and December 1, 2025, GreenSeam 
17.10 	must report to the chairs and ranking minority 
17.11 	members of the legislative committees with 
17.12 	jurisdiction over agriculture and rural 
17.13 	development with information on new and 
17.14 	existing businesses supported, number of new 
17.15 	jobs created in the region, new educational 
17.16 	partnerships and programs supported, and 
17.17 	regional branding and promotional efforts.
17.18 	(j) $1,950,000 the first year and $1,950,000 
17.19 	the second year are for grants to Second 
17.20 	Harvest Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's 
17.21 	six Feeding America food banks for the 
17.22 	following purposes:
17.23 	(1) at least $850,000 each year must be 
17.24 	allocated to purchase milk for distribution to 
17.25 	Minnesota's food shelves and other charitable 
17.26 	organizations that are eligible to receive food 
17.27 	from the food banks. Milk purchased under 
17.28 	the grants must be acquired from Minnesota 
17.29 	milk processors and based on low-cost bids. 
17.30 	The milk must be allocated to each Feeding 
17.31 	America food bank serving Minnesota 
17.32 	according to the formula used in the 
17.33 	distribution of United States Department of 
17.34 	Agriculture commodities under The 
17.35 	Emergency Food Assistance Program. Second 
18.1 	Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts or 
18.2 	agreements with food banks for shared funding 
18.3 	or reimbursement of the direct purchase of 
18.4 	milk. Each food bank that receives funding 
18.5 	under this clause may use up to two percent 
18.6 	for administrative expenses. Notwithstanding 
18.7 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any 
18.8 	unencumbered balance the first year does not 
18.9 	cancel and is available the second year;
18.10 	(2) to compensate agricultural producers and 
18.11 	processors for costs incurred to harvest and 
18.12 	package for transfer surplus fruits, vegetables, 
18.13 	and other agricultural commodities that would 
18.14 	otherwise go unharvested, be discarded, or be 
18.15 	sold in a secondary market. Surplus 
18.16 	commodities must be distributed statewide to 
18.17 	food shelves and other charitable organizations 
18.18 	that are eligible to receive food from the food 
18.19 	banks. Surplus food acquired under this clause 
18.20 	must be from Minnesota producers and 
18.21 	processors. Second Harvest Heartland may 
18.22 	use up to 15 percent of each grant awarded 
18.23 	under this clause for administrative and 
18.24 	transportation expenses; and
18.25 	(3) to purchase and distribute protein products, 
18.26 	including but not limited to pork, poultry, beef, 
18.27 	dry legumes, cheese, and eggs to Minnesota's 
18.28 	food shelves and other charitable organizations 
18.29 	that are eligible to receive food from the food 
18.30 	banks. Second Harvest Heartland may use up 
18.31 	to two percent of each grant awarded under 
18.32 	this clause for administrative expenses. Protein 
18.33 	products purchased under the grants must be 
18.34 	acquired from Minnesota processors and 
18.35 	producers.
19.1 	Second Harvest Heartland must submit 
19.2 	quarterly reports to the commissioner and the 
19.3 	chairs and ranking minority members of the 
19.4 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
19.5 	agriculture finance in the form prescribed by 
19.6 	the commissioner. The reports must include 
19.7 	but are not limited to information on the 
19.8 	expenditure of funds, the amount of milk or 
19.9 	other commodities purchased, and the 
19.10 	organizations to which this food was 
19.11 	distributed. The base for this appropriation is 
19.12 	$1,700,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each year 
19.13 	thereafter.
19.14 	(k) $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the 
19.15 	second year are for grants to the Southern 
19.16 	Minnesota Initiative Foundation to promote 
19.17 	local foods through an annual event that raises 
19.18 	public awareness of local foods and connects 
19.19 	local food producers and processors with 
19.20 	potential buyers.
19.21 	(l) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the 
19.22 	second year are for grants to The Good Acre 
19.23 	for the Local Emergency Assistance Farmer 
19.24 	Fund (LEAFF) program to compensate 
19.25 	emerging farmers for crops donated to hunger 
19.26 	relief organizations in Minnesota. This is a 
19.27 	onetime appropriation.
19.28 	(m) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the 
19.29 	second year are to expand the Emerging 
19.30 	Farmers Office and provide services to 
19.31 	beginning and emerging farmers to increase 
19.32 	connections between farmers and market 
19.33 	opportunities throughout the state. This 
19.34 	appropriation may be used for grants, 
19.35 	translation services, training programs, or 
20.1 	other purposes in line with the 
20.2 	recommendations of the Emerging Farmer 
20.3 	Working Group established under Minnesota 
20.4 	Statutes, section 17.055, subdivision 1. The 
20.5 	base for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in 
20.6 	fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter.
20.7 	(n) $50,000 the first year is to provide 
20.8 	technical assistance and leadership in the 
20.9 	development of a comprehensive and 
20.10 	well-documented state aquaculture plan. The 
20.11 	commissioner must provide the state 
20.12 	aquaculture plan to the legislative committees 
20.13 	with jurisdiction over agriculture finance and 
20.14 	policy by February 15, 2025.
20.15 	(o) $337,000 the first year and $337,000 the 
20.16 	second year are for farm advocate services. 
20.17 	Of these amounts, $50,000 the first year and 
20.18 	$50,000 the second year are for the 
20.19 	continuation of the farmland transition 
20.20 	programs and may be used for grants to 
20.21 	farmland access teams to provide technical 
20.22 	assistance to potential beginning farmers. 
20.23 	Farmland access teams must assist existing 
20.24 	farmers and beginning farmers with 
20.25 	transitioning farm ownership and farm 
20.26 	operation. Services provided by teams may 
20.27 	include but are not limited to mediation 
20.28 	assistance, designing contracts, financial 
20.29 	planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and 
20.30 	housing assistance.
20.31 	(p) $260,000 the first year and $260,000 the 
20.32 	second year are for a pass-through grant to 
20.33 	Region Five Development Commission to 
20.34 	provide, in collaboration with Farm Business 
20.35 	Management, statewide mental health 
21.1 	counseling support to Minnesota farm 
21.2 	operators, families, and employees, and 
21.3 	individuals who work with Minnesota farmers 
21.4 	in a professional capacity. Region Five 
21.5 	Development Commission may use up to 6.5 
21.6 	percent of the grant awarded under this 
21.7 	paragraph for administration.
21.8 	(q) $1,000,000 the first year is for transfer to 
21.9 	the agricultural emergency account established 
21.10 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.041.
21.11 	(r) $1,084,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
21.12 	second year are to support IT modernization 
21.13 	efforts, including laying the technology 
21.14 	foundations needed for improving customer 
21.15 	interactions with the department for licensing 
21.16 	and payments. This is a onetime appropriation.
21.17 	(s) $275,000 the first year is for technical 
21.18 	assistance grants to certified community 
21.19 	development financial institutions that 
21.20 	participate in United States Department of 
21.21 	Agriculture loan or grant programs for small 
21.22 	or emerging farmers, including but not limited 
21.23 	to the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market 
21.24 	Access Program. For purposes of this 
21.25 	paragraph, "emerging farmer" has the meaning 
21.26 	given in Minnesota Statutes, section 17.055, 
21.27 	subdivision 1. The commissioner may use up 
21.28 	to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for costs 
21.29 	incurred to administer the program. 
21.30 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
21.31 	16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not 
21.32 	cancel at the end of the first year and is 
21.33 	available in the second year. This is a onetime 
21.34 	appropriation.
22.1 	(t) $1,425,000 the first year and $1,425,000 
22.2 	the second year are for transfer to the 
22.3 	agricultural and environmental revolving loan 
22.4 	account established under Minnesota Statutes, 
22.5 	section 17.117, subdivision 5a, for low-interest 
22.6 	loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 
22.7 	17.117.
22.8 	(u) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
22.9 	second year are for administrative support for 
22.10 	the Rural Finance Authority.
22.11 	(v) The base in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 is 
22.12 	$150,000 each year to coordinate 
22.13 	climate-related activities and services within 
22.14 	the Department of Agriculture and 
22.15 	counterparts in local, state, and federal 
22.16 	agencies and to hire a full-time climate 
22.17 	implementation coordinator. The climate 
22.18 	implementation coordinator must coordinate 
22.19 	efforts seeking federal funding for Minnesota's 
22.20 	agricultural climate adaptation and mitigation 
22.21 	efforts and develop strategic partnerships with 
22.22 	the private sector and nongovernment 
22.23 	organizations.
22.24 	(w) $1,200,000 the first year and $930,000 the 
22.25 	second year are to maintain the current level 
22.26 	of service delivery. The base for this 
22.27 	appropriation is $1,065,000 in fiscal year 2026 
22.28 	and $1,065,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each 
22.29 	year thereafter.
22.30 	(x) $250,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
22.31 	Board of Regents of the University of 
22.32 	Minnesota to purchase equipment for the 
22.33 	Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to test for 
22.34 	chronic wasting disease, African swine fever, 
22.35 	avian influenza, and other animal diseases. 
23.1 	The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory must 
23.2 	report expenditures under this paragraph to 
23.3 	the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
23.4 	over agriculture finance and higher education 
23.5 	with a report submitted by January 3, 2024, 
23.6 	and a final report submitted by December 31, 
23.7 	2024. The reports must include a list of 
23.8 	equipment purchased, including the cost of 
23.9 	each item.
23.10 	(y) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
23.11 	the second year are to award and administer 
23.12 	down payment assistance grants under 
23.13 	Minnesota Statutes, section 17.133, with 
23.14 	priority given to eligible applicants with no 
23.15 	more than $100,000 in annual gross farm 
23.16 	product sales and eligible applicants who are 
23.17 	producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or one 
23.18 	or more of the following specialty crops as 
23.19 	defined by the United States Department of 
23.20 	Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop 
23.21 	block grant program: fruits and vegetables, 
23.22 	tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants, 
23.23 	culinary herbs and spices, horticulture crops, 
23.24 	floriculture crops, and nursery crops. 
23.25 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
23.26 	16A.28, any unencumbered balance at the end 
23.27 	of the first year does not cancel and is 
23.28 	available in the second year and appropriations 
23.29 	encumbered under contract by June 30, 2025, 
23.30 	are available until June 30, 2027.
23.31 	(z) $222,000 the first year and $322,000 the 
23.32 	second year are for meat processing training 
23.33 	and retention incentive grants under section 
23.34 	5. By December 1 each year in 2026, 2027, 
23.35 	and 2028, the commissioner must submit a 
24.1 	report to the chairs and ranking minority 
24.2 	members of the legislative committees with 
24.3 	jurisdiction over agriculture finance and policy 
24.4 	detailing uses of the funds in this paragraph, 
24.5 	including award amounts to each partner 
24.6 	organization, how much of each award was 
24.7 	used, the types of expenses paid for with the 
24.8 	funds, and the number of employees served. 
24.9 	The commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent 
24.10 	of this appropriation for costs incurred to 
24.11 	administer the program. Notwithstanding 
24.12 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any 
24.13 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
24.14 	end of the first year and is available in the 
24.15 	second year. This is a onetime appropriation
24.16 	and is available until June 30, 2028.
24.17 	(aa) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the 
24.18 	second year are for transfer to the Board of 
24.19 	Regents of the University of Minnesota to 
24.20 	evaluate, propagate, and maintain the genetic 
24.21 	diversity of oilseeds, grains, grasses, legumes, 
24.22 	and other plants including flax, timothy, 
24.23 	barley, rye, triticale, alfalfa, orchard grass, 
24.24 	clover, and other species and varieties that 
24.25 	were in commercial distribution and use in 
24.26 	Minnesota before 1970, excluding wild rice. 
24.27 	This effort must also protect traditional seeds 
24.28 	brought to Minnesota by immigrant 
24.29 	communities. This appropriation includes 
24.30 	funding for associated extension and outreach 
24.31 	to small and Black, Indigenous, and People of 
24.32 	Color (BIPOC) farmers. This is a onetime 
24.33 	appropriation.
24.34 	(bb) $300,000 the second year is to award and 
24.35 	administer beginning farmer equipment and 
25.1 	infrastructure grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
25.2 	section 17.055. This is a onetime 
25.3 	appropriation.
25.4 	(cc) $25,000 the first year is for the credit 
25.5 	market report. Notwithstanding Minnesota 
25.6 	Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered 
25.7 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
25.8 	year and is available in the second year. This 
25.9 	is a onetime appropriation.
25.10 	(dd) The commissioner shall continue to 
25.11 	increase connections with ethnic minority and 
25.12 	immigrant farmers to farming opportunities 
25.13 	and farming programs throughout the state.

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

25.15 	Sec. 4. Laws 2025, chapter 34, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

25.16	Subd. 2.Protection Services

25.17	Appropriations by Fund
	
25.1925.18
	General
	20,828,000
	21,207,000
21,457,000
	
25.20	Remediation
	399,000
	399,000
	
25.21 	(a) $399,000 the first year and $399,000 the 
25.22 	second year are from the remediation fund for 
25.23 	administrative funding of the voluntary 
25.24 	cleanup program.
25.25 	(b) $639,000 the first year and $639,000 the 
25.26 	second year are for the soil health financial 
25.27 	assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, 
25.28 	section 17.134. The commissioner may award 
25.29 	no more than $50,000 of the appropriation 
25.30 	each year to a single recipient. 
25.31 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
25.32 	16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may 
25.33 	use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for 
26.1 	costs incurred to administer the program. Any 
26.2 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
26.3 	end of the first year and is available in the 
26.4 	second year. Appropriations encumbered 
26.5 	under contract on or before June 30, 2027, for 
26.6 	soil health financial assistance grants are 
26.7 	available until June 30, 2029.
26.8 	(c) $275,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
26.9 	second year are for compensation for livestock 
26.10 	destroyed or crippled by a wolf under 
26.11 	Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737. The first 
26.12 	year appropriation may be spent to compensate 
26.13 	for livestock that were destroyed or crippled 
26.14 	during fiscal year 2025. If the amount in the 
26.15 	first year is insufficient, the amount in the 
26.16 	second year is available in the first year. The 
26.17 	commissioner may use up to $5,000 each year 
26.18 	to reimburse expenses incurred by university 
26.19 	extension educators to provide fair market 
26.20 	values of destroyed or crippled livestock. If 
26.21 	the commissioner receives federal money to 
26.22 	pay claims for destroyed or crippled livestock, 
26.23 	an equivalent amount of this appropriation 
26.24 	may be used to reimburse nonlethal prevention 
26.25 	methods performed by federal wildlife services 
26.26 	staff. The base for this appropriation is 
26.27 	$175,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year 
26.28 	thereafter.
26.29 	(d) $255,000 the first year and $230,000 the 
26.30 	second year are for compensation for crop or 
26.31 	fence damage caused by elk under Minnesota 
26.32 	Statutes, section 3.7371. If the amount in the 
26.33 	first year is insufficient, the amount in the 
26.34 	second year is available in the first year. The 
26.35 	commissioner may use up to $10,000 of the 
27.1 	appropriation each year to reimburse expenses 
27.2 	incurred by the commissioner or the 
27.3 	commissioner's approved agent to investigate 
27.4 	and resolve claims, as well as for costs 
27.5 	associated with training for approved agents. 
27.6 	The commissioner may use up to $40,000 of 
27.7 	the appropriation each year for grants to 
27.8 	producers for measures to protect stored crops 
27.9 	from elk damage. If the commissioner 
27.10 	determines that claims made under Minnesota 
27.11 	Statutes, section 3.737 or 3.7371, are 
27.12 	unusually high, amounts appropriated for 
27.13 	either program may be transferred to the 
27.14 	appropriation for the other program. The base 
27.15 	for this appropriation is $155,000 in fiscal year 
27.16 	2028 and each year thereafter.
27.17 	(e) $825,000 the first year and $825,000 the 
27.18 	second year are to replace capital equipment 
27.19 	in the Department of Agriculture's analytical 
27.20 	laboratory.
27.21 	(f) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the 
27.22 	second year are for additional meat and poultry 
27.23 	inspection services. The commissioner is 
27.24 	encouraged to seek inspection waivers, match 
27.25 	federal money, and offer more online 
27.26 	inspections for the purposes of this paragraph. 
27.27 	This is a onetime appropriation.
27.28 	(g) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the 
27.29 	second year are for grants to counties to 
27.30 	support county agricultural inspectors. The 
27.31 	commissioner may use up to three percent of 
27.32 	the appropriation each year for administration. 
27.33 	This is a onetime appropriation. County 
27.34 	agricultural inspectors and county-designated 
27.35 	employees must annually submit an 
28.1 	application, on a form approved by the 
28.2 	commissioner, to be eligible for funding 
28.3 	during a given year. The commissioner must 
28.4 	equally divide available grant money among 
28.5 	eligible counties. To be eligible for grants 
28.6 	under this section, a county must employ a 
28.7 	county agricultural inspector or a 
28.8 	county-designated employee who:
28.9 	(1) has attended training for new county 
28.10 	agricultural inspectors offered by the 
28.11 	commissioner;
28.12 	(2) coordinates with the commissioner to 
28.13 	review applicable laws and enforcement 
28.14 	procedures;
28.15 	(3) compiles and submits to the commissioner 
28.16 	local weed inspector annual report data;
28.17 	(4) conducts an annual meeting and training 
28.18 	for local weed inspectors; and
28.19 	(5) assists the commissioner with control 
28.20 	programs and other agricultural programs 
28.21 	when requested under Minnesota Statutes, 
28.22 	section 18.81, subdivision 1b, as directed by 
28.23 	the county board.
28.24 	(h) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
28.25 	second year are appropriated to establish and 
28.26 	administer the biofertilizer innovation and 
28.27 	efficiency program under Minnesota Statutes, 
28.28 	section 18C.113. The commissioner may use 
28.29 	up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for costs 
28.30 	incurred to administer the program. 
28.31 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
28.32 	16A.28, any unencumbered balance at the end 
28.33 	of fiscal year 2026 does not cancel and is 
29.1 	available until June 30, 2027. This is a onetime 
29.2 	appropriation.
29.3 	(j) (i) $75,000 the first year is to conduct an 
29.4 	evaluation of the practice performance and 
29.5 	economic performance of the Olmsted County 
29.6 	groundwater protection and soil health 
29.7 	initiative, including the cover crop program, 
29.8 	alternative crops program, and haying, 
29.9 	grazing, and pasture enhancement program. 
29.10 	The evaluation must look at environmental 
29.11 	outcomes, include a cost-benefit analysis, and 
29.12 	be submitted to the chairs and ranking 
29.13 	minority members of the legislative 
29.14 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
29.15 	over agriculture policy and finance by June 1, 
29.16 	2027. The commissioner may contract with 
29.17 	an independent third party to conduct the 
29.18 	evaluation.
29.19 	(k) (j) $420,000 the first year and $924,000 
29.20 	the second year are to support current services.

29.21 	Sec. 5. Laws 2025, chapter 34, article 1, section 2, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 
29.22 	2025, First Special Session chapter 11, section 11, is amended to read:

29.23
29.24	Subd. 3.Agricultural Marketing and 
Development
 		23,551,000
		23,301,000
24,301,000
	
29.25 	(a) $634,000 the first year and $634,000 the 
29.26 	second year are for the continuation of the 
29.27 	dairy development and profitability 
29.28 	enhancement program, including dairy 
29.29 	profitability teams and dairy business planning 
29.30 	grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 
29.31 	32D.30.
29.32 	(b) The commissioner may use funds 
29.33 	appropriated in this subdivision for annual 
29.34 	cost-share payments to resident farmers or 
30.1 	entities that sell, process, or package 
30.2 	agricultural products in this state for the costs 
30.3 	of organic certification. The commissioner 
30.4 	may allocate these funds for assistance to 
30.5 	persons transitioning from conventional to 
30.6 	organic agriculture.
30.7 	(c) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
30.8 	second year are for mental health outreach and 
30.9 	support to farmers, ranchers, farm workers 
30.10 	and employees, and others in the agricultural 
30.11 	community and profession and for farm and 
30.12 	farm worker safety grant and outreach 
30.13 	programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 
30.14 	17.1195. Mental health outreach and support 
30.15 	may include a 24-hour hotline, stigma 
30.16 	reduction, and education. Notwithstanding 
30.17 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any 
30.18 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
30.19 	end of the first year and is available in the 
30.20 	second year. The base for this appropriation 
30.21 	is $50,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year 
30.22 	thereafter.
30.23 	(d) $700,000 the first year and $700,000 the 
30.24 	second year are for the local food purchasing 
30.25 	assistance grant program under article 3, 
30.26 	section 35. Notwithstanding Minnesota 
30.27 	Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered 
30.28 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
30.29 	year and is available in the second year.
30.30 	(e) $1,000,000 the second year is to expand 
30.31 	the Emerging Farmers Office and provide 
30.32 	services to beginning and emerging farmers 
30.33 	to increase connections between farmers and 
30.34 	market opportunities throughout the state. This 
30.35 	appropriation may be used for grants, 
31.1 	translation services, training programs, or 
31.2 	other purposes in line with the 
31.3 	recommendations of the emerging farmer 
31.4 	working group established under Minnesota 
31.5 	Statutes, section 17.055, subdivision 1.
31.6 	(e) (f) $18,257,000 the first year and 
31.7 	$18,007,000 the second year are for the 
31.8 	agricultural growth, research, and innovation 
31.9 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
31.10 	41A.12. The base for this appropriation is 
31.11 	$17,449,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year 
31.12 	thereafter.
31.13 	(f) (g) Except as provided in paragraph (g) (h), 
31.14 	the commissioner may allocate the 
31.15 	appropriation in paragraph (e) (f) each year 
31.16 	among the following areas: facilitating the 
31.17 	startup, modernization, improvement, or 
31.18 	expansion of livestock operations, including 
31.19 	beginning and transitioning livestock 
31.20 	operations with preference given to robotic 
31.21 	dairy-milking equipment; assisting 
31.22 	value-added agricultural businesses to begin 
31.23 	or expand, to access new markets, or to 
31.24 	diversify, including aquaponics systems, with 
31.25 	preference given to hemp fiber processing 
31.26 	equipment; facilitating the startup, 
31.27 	modernization, or expansion of other 
31.28 	beginning and transitioning farms, including 
31.29 	by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes, 
31.30 	section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture 
31.31 	on-farm research and demonstration; the 
31.32 	development or expansion of food hubs and 
31.33 	other alternative community-based food 
31.34 	distribution systems; enhancing renewable 
31.35 	energy infrastructure and use; crop research, 
32.1 	including basic and applied turf seed research; 
32.2 	Farm Business Management tuition assistance; 
32.3 	supporting the commercialization of an 
32.4 	innovative material additive utilizing 
32.5 	agricultural coproducts or waste streams to 
32.6 	produce fiber-based barrier packaging to 
32.7 	reduce perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl 
32.8 	substances (PFAS) and plastics in packaging 
32.9 	products; and good agricultural practices and 
32.10 	good handling practices certification 
32.11 	assistance. Notwithstanding Minnesota 
32.12 	Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the 
32.13 	commissioner may use up to 7.5 percent of 
32.14 	the appropriation in paragraph (e) (f) for costs 
32.15 	incurred to administer the program.
32.16 	(g) (h) Of the amount appropriated for the 
32.17 	agricultural growth, research, and innovation 
32.18 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
32.19 	41A.12:
32.20 	(1) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
32.21 	the second year are for distribution in equal 
32.22 	amounts to each of the state's county fairs to 
32.23 	preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture;
32.24 	(2) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 
32.25 	the second year are for incentive payments 
32.26 	under Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16, 
32.27 	41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20. If this 
32.28 	appropriation exceeds the total amount for 
32.29 	which all producers are eligible in a fiscal 
32.30 	year, the balance of the appropriation is 
32.31 	available for other purposes under this 
32.32 	paragraph;
32.33 	(3) $2,750,000 the first year and $2,750,000 
32.34 	the second year are for grants that enable retail 
32.35 	petroleum dispensers, fuel storage tanks, and 
33.1 	other equipment to dispense biofuels to the 
33.2 	public in accordance with the biofuel 
33.3 	replacement goals established under 
33.4 	Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail 
33.5 	petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use 
33.6 	in spark ignition engines for vehicle model 
33.7 	years after 2000 is eligible for grant money 
33.8 	under this clause if the retail petroleum 
33.9 	dispenser has no more than 20 retail petroleum 
33.10 	dispensing sites and each site is located in 
33.11 	Minnesota. The grant money must be used to 
33.12 	replace or upgrade equipment that does not 
33.13 	have the ability to be certified for E25. A grant 
33.14 	award must not exceed 65 percent of the cost 
33.15 	of the appropriate technology. A grant award 
33.16 	must not exceed $200,000 per station. The 
33.17 	commissioner must cooperate with biofuel 
33.18 	stakeholders in the implementation of the grant 
33.19 	program. The commissioner, in cooperation 
33.20 	with any economic or community development 
33.21 	financial institution and any other entity with 
33.22 	which the commissioner contracts, must 
33.23 	submit a the report on under Minnesota 
33.24 	Statutes, section 41A.12, subdivision 3, that 
33.25 	includes metrics of the biofuels infrastructure 
33.26 	financial assistance program by January 15
33.27 	each year to the chairs and ranking minority 
33.28 	members of the legislative committees and 
33.29 	divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture 
33.30 	policy and finance. The annual report must 
33.31 	include but not be limited to a summary of the 
33.32 	following metrics: (i) the number and types 
33.33 	of projects financed; (ii) the amount of dollars 
33.34 	leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the 
33.35 	geographic distribution of financed projects; 
33.36 	(iv) any market expansion associated with 
34.1 	upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics 
34.2 	of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the 
34.3 	program; and (vii) the number of grants to 
34.4 	minority-owned or female-owned businesses;
34.5 	(4) $350,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
34.6 	second year are for grants to facilitate the 
34.7 	startup, modernization, or expansion of meat, 
34.8 	poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities. A 
34.9 	grant award under this clause must not exceed 
34.10 	$200,000;
34.11 	(5) $1,594,000 the first year and $1,544,000 
34.12 	the second year are for providing more fruits, 
34.13 	vegetables, meat, poultry, grain, and dairy for 
34.14 	children in school and early childhood 
34.15 	education settings, including, at the 
34.16 	commissioner's discretion, providing grants 
34.17 	to reimburse schools and early childhood 
34.18 	education and child care providers for 
34.19 	purchasing equipment and agricultural 
34.20 	products. Of the amount appropriated, 
34.21 	$150,000 each year is for a statewide 
34.22 	coordinator of farm-to-institution strategy and 
34.23 	programming. The coordinator must consult 
34.24 	with relevant stakeholders and provide 
34.25 	technical assistance and training for 
34.26 	participating farmers and eligible grant 
34.27 	recipients. The base for this appropriation is 
34.28 	$1,636,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year 
34.29 	thereafter. At the commissioner's discretion, 
34.30 	for state administration of federal cooperative 
34.31 	agreements for purchasing Minnesota grown 
34.32 	and raised foods for schools, child care 
34.33 	providers, food banks, and other institutions, 
34.34 	the commissioner may use an amount of state 
34.35 	funds equal to no more than 7.5 percent of the 
35.1 	total federal funds awarded to the state. The 
35.2 	commissioner shall expend any available 
35.3 	federal administrative funds awarded for this 
35.4 	purpose before using state funds;
35.5 	(6) up to $1,750,000 the first year and up to 
35.6 	$1,750,000 the second year are for grants to 
35.7 	facilitate the development of urban agriculture, 
35.8 	including projects related to youth education, 
35.9 	community and economic development, 
35.10 	value-added processing, and vocational 
35.11 	training;
35.12 	(7) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
35.13 	the second year are for the food retail 
35.14 	improvement and development program under 
35.15 	Minnesota Statutes, section 17.1017;
35.16 	(8) up to $200,000 the first year and up to 
35.17 	$200,000 the second year are for cooperative 
35.18 	development grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
35.19 	section 17.1016;
35.20 	(9) $250,000 the first year and $150,000 the 
35.21 	second year are for the protecting livestock 
35.22 	grant program for producers to support the 
35.23 	installation of measures to prevent the 
35.24 	transmission of avian influenza. For the 
35.25 	appropriation in this clause, a grant applicant 
35.26 	must document a cost-share of 20 percent. An 
35.27 	applicant's cost-share amount may be reduced 
35.28 	up to $2,000 to cover time and labor costs. 
35.29 	This is a onetime appropriation; and
35.30 	(10) up to $525,000 the first year and up to 
35.31 	$525,000 the second year are to award AGRI 
35.32 	Works grants to institutions and organizations 
35.33 	to provide regional and statewide services. 
35.34 	Preference shall be given to legislatively 
36.1 	created entities and organizations that enhance 
36.2 	agricultural, horticultural, or rural community 
36.3 	and economic development, marketing, and 
36.4 	promotion, and research and education. A 
36.5 	grant award under this clause must not exceed 
36.6 	$200,000. Grants made under this paragraph 
36.7 	are subject to the requirements in Minnesota 
36.8 	Statutes, sections 16B.98 and 16B.981. This 
36.9 	is a onetime appropriation.
36.10 	(h) (i) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
36.11 	section 16A.28, the appropriation in paragraph 
36.12 	(e) (f) does not cancel at the end of the second 
36.13 	year and is available until June 30, 2029. 
36.14 	Appropriations encumbered under contract on 
36.15 	or before June 30, 2029, for agricultural 
36.16 	growth, research, and innovation grants are 
36.17 	available until June 30, 2032. At the end of 
36.18 	fiscal year 2027, the commissioner must 
36.19 	prioritize any money resulting from canceled 
36.20 	contracts to be used for AGRI Works grants 
36.21 	under paragraph (g) (h), clause (10).

36.22 	Sec. 6. Laws 2025, chapter 34, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 
36.23 	2025, First Special Session chapter 11, section 12, is amended to read:

36.24
36.25	Subd. 4.Administration and Financial 
Assistance
 		14,179,000
		11,145,000
9,895,000
	
36.26 	(a) $474,000 the first year and $474,000 the 
36.27 	second year are for payments to county and 
36.28 	district agricultural societies and associations 
36.29 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02, 
36.30 	subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and 
36.31 	district agricultural societies and associations 
36.32 	must be disbursed no later than July 15 each 
36.33 	year. These payments are the amount of aid 
36.34 	from the state for an annual fair held in the 
36.35 	previous calendar year.
37.1 	(b) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the 
37.2 	second year are for grants to the Minnesota 
37.3 	Agricultural Education and Leadership 
37.4 	Council for programs of the council under 
37.5 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D. The base for 
37.6 	this appropriation is $250,000 in fiscal year 
37.7 	2028 and each year thereafter.
37.8 	(c) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000 
37.9 	the second year are is to award and administer 
37.10 	farm down payment assistance grants under 
37.11 	Minnesota Statutes, section 17.133, with 
37.12 	priority given to eligible applicants with no 
37.13 	more than $100,000 in annual gross farm 
37.14 	product sales and eligible applicants who are 
37.15 	producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or one 
37.16 	or more of the following specialty crops as 
37.17 	defined by the United States Department of 
37.18 	Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop 
37.19 	block grant program: fruits and vegetables, 
37.20 	tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants, 
37.21 	culinary herbs and spices, horticulture crops, 
37.22 	floriculture crops, and nursery crops. 
37.23 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
37.24 	16A.28, any unencumbered balance at the end 
37.25 	of the first year does not cancel and is 
37.26 	available in the second year and appropriations 
37.27 	encumbered under contract by June 30, 2027, 
37.28 	are available and any unencumbered balance 
37.29 	at the end of the second year does not cancel 
37.30 	and is available until June 30, 2029. The base 
37.31 	for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in fiscal 
37.32 	year 2028 and each year thereafter.
37.33 	(d) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
37.34 	the second year are for the purchase of milk 
37.35 	for distribution to Minnesota's food shelves 
38.1 	and other charitable organizations that are 
38.2 	eligible to receive food from the food banks. 
38.3 	Milk purchased with grant money must be 
38.4 	acquired from Minnesota milk processors and 
38.5 	based on low-cost bids. The milk must be 
38.6 	allocated to each Feeding America food bank 
38.7 	serving Minnesota according to the formula 
38.8 	used in the distribution of United States 
38.9 	Department of Agriculture commodities under 
38.10 	The Emergency Food Assistance Program. 
38.11 	The commissioner may enter into contracts or 
38.12 	agreements with food banks for shared funding 
38.13 	or reimbursement of the direct purchase of 
38.14 	milk. Each food bank that receives funding 
38.15 	under this paragraph may use up to two 
38.16 	percent for administrative expenses. 
38.17 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
38.18 	16A.28, any unencumbered balance the first 
38.19 	year does not cancel and is available the 
38.20 	second year.
38.21 	(e) $260,000 the first year and $260,000 the 
38.22 	second year are for a pass-through grant to 
38.23 	Region Five Development Commission to 
38.24 	provide, in collaboration with Farm Business 
38.25 	Management, statewide mental health 
38.26 	counseling support to Minnesota farm 
38.27 	operators, families, and employees, and 
38.28 	individuals who work with Minnesota farmers 
38.29 	in a professional capacity. Region Five 
38.30 	Development Commission may use up to 7.5 
38.31 	percent of the grant awarded under this 
38.32 	paragraph for administration.
38.33 	(f) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
38.34 	the second year are is to expand the Emerging 
38.35 	Farmers Office and provide services to 
39.1 	beginning and emerging farmers to increase 
39.2 	connections between farmers and market 
39.3 	opportunities throughout the state. This 
39.4 	appropriation may be used for grants, 
39.5 	translation services, training programs, or 
39.6 	other purposes in line with the 
39.7 	recommendations of the emerging farmer 
39.8 	working group established under Minnesota 
39.9 	Statutes, section 17.055, subdivision 1.
39.10 	(g) $137,000 the first year and $203,000 the 
39.11 	second year are to support current services.
39.12 	(h) $337,000 the first year and $337,000 the 
39.13 	second year are for farm advocate services. 
39.14 	Of these amounts, $50,000 the first year and 
39.15 	$50,000 the second year are for the 
39.16 	continuation of the farmland transition 
39.17 	programs and may be used for grants to 
39.18 	farmland access teams to provide technical 
39.19 	assistance to potential beginning farmers. 
39.20 	Farmland access teams must assist existing 
39.21 	farmers and beginning farmers with 
39.22 	transitioning farm ownership and farm 
39.23 	operation. Services provided by teams may 
39.24 	include but are not limited to mediation 
39.25 	assistance, designing contracts, financial 
39.26 	planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and 
39.27 	housing assistance.
39.28 	(i) $3,000,000 the first year is for transfer to 
39.29 	the Public Facilities Authority for a grant to 
39.30 	First District Association to acquire land for 
39.31 	and to design, engineer, construct, equip, and 
39.32 	furnish a wastewater treatment project. This 
39.33 	appropriation is in addition to the 
39.34 	appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 71, article 
39.35 	1, section 15, subdivision 7. This appropriation 
40.1 	is available until the project is completed or 
40.2 	abandoned, subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
40.3 	section 16A.642.
40.4 	(k) (j) $50,000 the first year is to be awarded 
40.5 	as a grant in a competitive bid process to an 
40.6 	entity that is not a for-profit entity to conduct 
40.7 	a study of market and workforce factors that 
40.8 	may contribute to the incorrect marking for 
40.9 	the installation of underground 
40.10 	telecommunications infrastructure that is 
40.11 	located within ten feet of existing underground 
40.12 	utilities or that crosses the existing 
40.13 	underground utilities. The study must include 
40.14 	recommendations to the legislature and be 
40.15 	submitted to the chairs and ranking minority 
40.16 	members of the legislative committees and 
40.17 	divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture 
40.18 	policy and finance by June 1, 2027.
40.19 	(r) (k) $50,000 the first year is to conduct a 
40.20 	study and develop recommendations for 
40.21 	establishing an incentive-based program to 
40.22 	support and encourage agricultural retailers 
40.23 	in promoting 4R nutrient management 
40.24 	practices. The 4R nutrient management 
40.25 	practices include: the right source of nutrients, 
40.26 	at the right rate and right time, in the right 
40.27 	place.
40.28 	(1) As part of the study, the department must 
40.29 	evaluate strategies for leveraging cost-share 
40.30 	programs, including the feasibility of 
40.31 	coordinating with the Agricultural Water 
40.32 	Quality Certification Program and other efforts 
40.33 	related to the state's Nutrient Reduction 
40.34 	Strategy.
41.1 	(2) The commissioner must submit a report 
41.2 	detailing its findings, including potential 
41.3 	funding sources and proposal outlines for 
41.4 	funding requests where appropriate. The 
41.5 	commissioner must submit the report to the 
41.6 	chairs and ranking minority members of the 
41.7 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
41.8 	agriculture and environment by March 15, 
41.9 	2026.
41.10 	(l) $1,250,000 the second year is to award and 
41.11 	administer farm down payment assistance 
41.12 	grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 
41.13 	17.133, with priority given to eligible 
41.14 	applicants with annual gross farm product 
41.15 	sales between $1,000 and $100,000. Of this 
41.16 	appropriation, up to 50 percent may be 
41.17 	awarded by lottery to priority applicants who 
41.18 	possess a purchase agreement as of June 30, 
41.19 	2026. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
41.20 	section 16A.28, any unencumbered balance 
41.21 	at the end of the second year does not cancel 
41.22 	and is available until June 30, 2030. The base 
41.23 	for this appropriation is $1,000,000 in fiscal 
41.24 	year 2028 and each year thereafter.
41.25 	(s) (m) The commissioner shall continue to 
41.26 	increase connections with ethnic minority and 
41.27 	immigrant farmers to farming opportunities 
41.28 	and farming programs throughout the state.

41.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2026.

42.1 	ARTICLE 2
42.2 	AGRICULTURE POLICY

42.3 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 17.1017, subdivision 9, is amended 
42.4 	to read:
42.5 		Subd. 9.Legislative report. The commissioner, in cooperation with any economic or 
42.6 	community development financial institution and any other entity with which it contracts, 
42.7 	shall submit an annualthe report onunder section 41A.12, subdivision 3, that includes 
42.8 	metrics of the food retail improvement and development program by January 15 of each 
42.9 	year to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate 
42.10 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and finance. The annual
42.11 	report shall include, but not be limited to, a summary of the following metrics:
42.12 	(1) the number and types of projects financed;
42.13 	(2) the amount of dollars leveraged or matched per project;
42.14 	(3) the geographic distribution of financed projects;
42.15 	(4) the number and types of technical assistance recipients;
42.16 	(5) the demographics of the areas served;
42.17 	(6) the costs of the program;
42.18 	(7) the number of SNAP dollars spent;
42.19 	(8) any increase in retail square footage;
42.20 	(9) the number of loans or grants to businesses owned by women and Black, Indigenous, 
42.21 	or Persons of Color; and
42.22 	(10) measurable economic and health outcomes, including, but not limited to, increases 
42.23 	in sales and consumption of locally sourced and other fresh fruits and vegetables, the number 
42.24 	of construction and retail jobs retained or created, and any health initiatives associated with 
42.25 	the program.

42.26 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 17.133, subdivision 1, is amended 
42.27 	to read:
42.28 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
42.29 	the meanings given.
42.30 	(b) "Eligible farmer" means an individual who at the time that the grant is awarded:
43.1 	(1) is a resident of Minnesota who intends to acquire farmland located within the state 
43.2 	and provide the majority of the day-to-day physical labor and management of the farm;
43.3 	(2) grosses no more than $250,000 per year from the sale of farm products;
43.4 	(3) has earned at least $1,000 in farm income or has evidence of farming experience;
43.5 	(4) has a net worth that does not exceed the limit under section 41B.03, subdivision 3, 
43.6 	paragraph (a), clause (2);
43.7 	(3) (5) has not, and whose spouse has not, at any time had a direct or indirect ownership 
43.8 	interest in farmland; and
43.9 	(4) (6) is not, and whose spouse is not, a family member of the owner of the farmland 
43.10 	that the individual intends to acquire. "Family member" has the meaning given in section 
43.11 	267(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
43.12 	(c) "Evidence of farming experience" means that an individual has:
43.13 	(1) completed an approved farm business management program;
43.14 	(2) a four-year degree in an agriculture-related field; or
43.15 	(3) at least three years of experience managing a comparable farm.
43.16 	(c) (d) "Farm down payment" means an initial, partial payment required by a lender or 
43.17 	seller to purchase farmland.
43.18 	(d) (e) "Incubator farm" means a farm where:
43.19 	(1) individuals are given temporary, exclusive, and affordable access to small parcels 
43.20 	of land, infrastructure, and often training, for the purpose of honing skills and launching a 
43.21 	farm business; and
43.22 	(2) a majority of the individuals farming the small parcels of land grow industrial hemp, 
43.23 	cannabis, or one or more of the following specialty crops as defined by the United States 
43.24 	Department of Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop block grant program: fruits 
43.25 	and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants, culinary herbs and spices, horticulture 
43.26 	crops, floriculture crops, and nursery crops.
43.27 	(e) (f) "Limited land access" means farming without ownership of land and:
43.28 	(1) the individual or the individual's child rents or leases the land, with the term of each 
43.29 	rental or lease agreement not exceeding three years in duration, from a person who is not 
43.30 	related to the individual or the individual's spouse by blood or marriage; or
43.31 	(2) the individual rents the land from an incubator farm.
44.1 	(f) (g) "Limited market access" means the individual has gross sales of no more than 
44.2 	$100,000 per year from the sale of farm products.

44.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2026.

44.4 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 17.133, subdivision 2, is amended 
44.5 	to read:
44.6 		Subd. 2.Grants. The commissioner may award farm down payment assistance grants 
44.7 	of up to 30 percent of the purchase price of a farm, with a maximum grant of $20,000 per 
44.8 	eligible farmer. Each award must be matched with at least $8,000 of other funding. Grants 
44.9 	under this subdivision may be awarded by a randomized selection process after applications 
44.10 	are collected over a period of no less than 30 calendar days. An eligible farmer must commit 
44.11 	to own and farm the land purchased with assistance provided under this section for at least 
44.12 	five years. For the first five years, each recipient must verify gross farm income of at least 
44.13 	$1,000 or demonstrate investment of at least $1,000 in farm business infrastructure, 
44.14 	equipment, perennial crops, or livestock. For each year that a grant recipient does not own 
44.15 	and farm the land during the five-year period, the grant recipient must pay a penalty to the 
44.16 	commissioner equal to 20 percent of the grant amount.

44.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2026.

44.18 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.458, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
44.19 		Subdivision 1.Definition. "Agroforestry" means the intentional integration of trees and 
44.20 	shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create a more sustainable, diverse, and 
44.21 	productive land-use system. Agroforestry includes the cultivation of short-rotation woody 
44.22 	crops using agricultural practices to produce timber or forest products.

44.23 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.01, is amended to read:
44.24 	18J.01 DEFINITIONS.
44.25 	(a) The definitions in this section; chapters 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, and 232; and 
44.26 	sections 18G.02, 18H.02, 18K.02, 27.01, 223.16, 231.01, and 232.21 21.111 to 21.125 and 
44.27 	21.80 to 21.92 apply to this chapter.
44.28 	(b) For purposes of this chapter, "associated rules" means rules adopted under this 
44.29 	chapter, chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232, or sections 21.111 to 21.125 and 
44.30 	21.80 to 21.92.

45.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.02, is amended to read:
45.2 	18J.02 DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER.
45.3 	The commissioner shall administer and enforce this chapter, chapters 18G, 18H, 18K, 
45.4 	27, 223, 231, and 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125, and 21.80 to 21.92; and associated rules.

45.5 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.03, is amended to read:
45.6 	18J.03 CIVIL LIABILITY.
45.7 	A person regulated by this chapter, chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232, or 
45.8 	sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92, is civilly liable for any violation of one of those 
45.9 	statutes or associated rules by the person's employee or agent.

45.10 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
45.11 		Subdivision 1.Access and entry. The commissioner, upon presentation of official 
45.12 	department credentials, must be granted immediate access at reasonable times to sites where 
45.13 	a person manufactures, distributes, uses, handles, disposes of, stores, or transports seeds, 
45.14 	plants, grain, household goods, general merchandise, produce, or other living or nonliving 
45.15 	products or other objects regulated under chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; 
45.16 	sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules.

45.17 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
45.18 		Subd. 2.Purpose of entry. (a) The commissioner may enter sites for:
45.19 	(1) inspection of inventory and equipment for the manufacture, storage, handling, 
45.20 	distribution, disposal, or any other process regulated under chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 
45.21 	231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules;
45.22 	(2) sampling of sites, seeds, plants, products, grain, household goods, general 
45.23 	merchandise, produce, or other living or nonliving objects that are manufactured, stored, 
45.24 	distributed, handled, or disposed of at those sites and regulated under chapter 18G, 18H, 
45.25 	18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules;
45.26 	(3) inspection of records related to the manufacture, distribution, storage, handling, or 
45.27 	disposal of seeds, plants, products, grain, household goods, general merchandise, produce, 
45.28 	or other living or nonliving objects regulated under chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, 
45.29 	or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules;
46.1 	(4) investigating compliance with chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 
46.2 	21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules; or
46.3 	(5) other purposes necessary to implement chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; 
46.4 	sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules.
46.5 	(b) The commissioner may enter any public or private premises during or after regular 
46.6 	business hours without notice of inspection when a suspected violation of chapter 18G, 
46.7 	18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated 
46.8 	rules may threaten public health or the environment.

46.9 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
46.10 		Subd. 3.Notice of inspection samples and analyses. (a) The commissioner shall provide 
46.11 	the owner, operator, or agent in charge with a receipt describing any samples obtained. If 
46.12 	requested, the commissioner shall split any samples obtained and provide them to the owner, 
46.13 	operator, or agent in charge. If an analysis is made of the samples, a copy of the results of 
46.14 	the analysis must be furnished to the owner, operator, or agent in charge within 30 days 
46.15 	after an analysis has been performed. If an analysis is not performed, the commissioner 
46.16 	must notify the owner, operator, or agent in charge within 30 days of the decision not to 
46.17 	perform the analysis.
46.18 	(b) The sampling and analysis must be done according to methods provided for under 
46.19 	applicable provisions of chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 
46.20 	21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules. In cases not covered by those sections and 
46.21 	methods or in cases where methods are available in which improved applicability has been 
46.22 	demonstrated the commissioner may adopt appropriate methods from other sources.

46.23 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
46.24 		Subd. 4.Inspection requests by others. (a) A person who believes that a violation of 
46.25 	chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; 
46.26 	or associated rules has occurred may request an inspection by giving notice to the 
46.27 	commissioner of the violation. The notice must be in writing, state with reasonable 
46.28 	particularity the grounds for the notice, and be signed by the person making the request.
46.29 	(b) If after receiving a notice of violation the commissioner reasonably believes that a 
46.30 	violation has occurred, the commissioner shall make a special inspection in accordance with 
46.31 	the provisions of this section as soon as practicable, to determine if a violation has occurred.
47.1 	(c) An inspection conducted pursuant to a notice under this subdivision may cover an 
47.2 	entire site and is not limited to the portion of the site specified in the notice. If the 
47.3 	commissioner determines that reasonable grounds to believe that a violation occurred do 
47.4 	not exist, the commissioner must notify the person making the request in writing of the 
47.5 	determination.

47.6 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
47.7 		Subdivision 1.Enforcement required. (a) A violation of chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 
47.8 	223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or an associated rule is a 
47.9 	violation of this chapter.
47.10 	(b) Upon the request of the commissioner, county attorneys, sheriffs, and other officers 
47.11 	having authority in the enforcement of the general criminal laws must take action to the 
47.12 	extent of their authority necessary or proper for the enforcement of chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 
47.13 	27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules or 
47.14 	valid orders, standards, stipulations, and agreements of the commissioner.

47.15 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
47.16 		Subd. 2.Commissioner's discretion. If minor violations of chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 
47.17 	27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules occur 
47.18 	or the commissioner believes the public interest will be best served by a suitable notice of 
47.19 	warning in writing, this section does not require the commissioner to:
47.20 	(1) report the violation for prosecution;
47.21 	(2) institute seizure proceedings; or
47.22 	(3) issue a withdrawal from distribution, stop-sale, or other order.

47.23 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.05, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
47.24 		Subd. 6.Agent for service of process. All persons licensed, permitted, registered, or 
47.25 	certified under chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 
47.26 	21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules must appoint the commissioner as the agent upon whom 
47.27 	all legal process may be served and service upon the commissioner is deemed to be service 
47.28 	on the licensee, permittee, registrant, or certified person.

48.1 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.06, is amended to read:
48.2 	18J.06 FALSE STATEMENT OR RECORD.
48.3 	A person must not knowingly make or offer a false statement, record, or other information 
48.4 	as part of:
48.5 	(1) an application for registration, license, certification, or permit under chapter 18G, 
48.6 	18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated 
48.7 	rules;
48.8 	(2) records or reports required under chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; 
48.9 	sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules; or
48.10 	(3) an investigation of a violation of chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; 
48.11 	sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules.

48.12 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
48.13 		Subd. 3.Cancellation of registration, permit, license, certification. The commissioner 
48.14 	may cancel or revoke a registration, permit, license, or certification provided for under 
48.15 	chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; 
48.16 	or associated rules or refuse to register, permit, license, or certify under provisions of chapter 
48.17 	18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or 
48.18 	associated rules if the registrant, permittee, licensee, or certified person has used fraudulent 
48.19 	or deceptive practices in the evasion or attempted evasion of a provision of chapter 18G, 
48.20 	18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated 
48.21 	rules.

48.22 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
48.23 		Subd. 4.Service of order or notice. (a) If a person is not available for service of an 
48.24 	order, the commissioner may attach the order to the facility, site, seed or seed container, 
48.25 	plant or other living or nonliving object regulated under chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 
48.26 	231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules and notify the 
48.27 	owner, custodian, other responsible party, or registrant.
48.28 	(b) The seed, seed container, plant, or other living or nonliving object regulated under 
48.29 	chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; 
48.30 	or associated rules may not be sold, used, tampered with, or removed until released under 
48.31 	conditions specified by the commissioner, by an administrative law judge, or by a court.

49.1 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.07, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
49.2 		Subd. 5.Unsatisfied judgments. (a) An applicant for a license, permit, registration, or 
49.3 	certification under provisions of this chapter, chapter 18G, 18H, 18K, 27, 223, 231, or 232; 
49.4 	sections 21.111 to 21.125 or 21.80 to 21.92; or associated rules may not allow a final 
49.5 	judgment against the applicant for damages arising from a violation of those statutes or 
49.6 	rules to remain unsatisfied for a period of more than 30 days.
49.7 	(b) Failure to satisfy, within 30 days, a final judgment resulting from a violation of this 
49.8 	chapter results in automatic suspension of the license, permit, registration, or certification.

49.9 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18J.09, is amended to read:
49.10 	18J.09 CREDITING OF PENALTIES, FEES, AND COSTS.
49.11 	Penalties, cost reimbursements, fees, and other money collected under this chapter must 
49.12 	be deposited into the state treasury and credited to the appropriate nursery and phytosanitary
49.13 	account under section 18H.17, industrial hemp account under section 18K.07, or seed potato 
49.14 	inspection account under section 21.115, seed inspection account under section 21.92, or 
49.15 	grain buyers and storage account under sections 223.17 and 232.22.

49.16 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18K.02, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
49.17 		Subd. 5.Processing. "Processing" means rendering by refinement hemp plants or hemp 
49.18 	plant parts from their natural or original state after harvest. Processing includes but is not 
49.19 	limited to decortication, devitalization, chopping, crushing, extraction of plant substances 
49.20 	other than cannabinoids, and packaging pressing. Processing does not include typical farm 
49.21 	operations such as sorting, grading, baling, and harvesting. Processing does not include 
49.22 	extraction of cannabinoids or the production of artificially derived cannabinoids as defined 
49.23 	in section 342.01, subdivision 6.

49.24 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18K.02, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
49.25 		Subd. 6.Processing location. "Processing location" means any area, building, plant, or 
49.26 	facility registered with and approved by the commissioner in which a licensee converts raw 
49.27 	industrial hemp into a marketable product.

50.1 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18K.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
50.2 		Subdivision 1.Requirement; issuance; presumption. (a) A person must obtain a license 
50.3 	from the commissioner before (1) growing industrial hemp, (2) processing industrial hemp, 
50.4 	or (3) researching industrial hemp.
50.5 	(b) To obtain a license under paragraph (a), a person must apply to the commissioner 
50.6 	in the form prescribed by the commissioner and must pay the annual registration and 
50.7 	inspection fee established by the commissioner in accordance with section 16A.1285, 
50.8 	subdivision 2.
50.9 	(c) For a license to grow or process industrial hemp, the license application must include 
50.10 	the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area or areas 
50.11 	where industrial hemp will be grown or processed by the applicant and any other information 
50.12 	required under Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, part 990.
50.13 	(d) For a license to process industrial hemp, the license application must include the 
50.14 	name and address of the applicant, the legal description of the processing location, and any 
50.15 	other information required by the commissioner.
50.16 	(e)(d) A licensee is responsible for compliance with the license requirements irrespective 
50.17 	of the acts or omissions of an authorized representative acting on behalf of the licensee.
50.18 	(f)(e) When an applicant has paid the fee and completed the application process to the 
50.19 	satisfaction of the commissioner, the commissioner must issue a license which is valid until 
50.20 	December 31 of the year of application.
50.21 	(g)(f) A person licensed under paragraph (a) to grow industrial hemp is presumed to be 
50.22 	growing industrial hemp for commercial or research purposes.

50.23 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.111, is amended to read:
50.24 	21.111 DEFINITIONS.
50.25 		Subdivision 1.Scope. When used in sections 21.111 to 21.122 21.125 the terms defined 
50.26 	in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them.
50.27 		Subd. 2.Inspected. "Inspected" means that the potato plants are examined in the field 
50.28 	and that the harvested potatoes produced by the potato plants are examined by or under the 
50.29 	authority of the commissioner. For seed potatoes produced in a lab, inspected means that 
50.30 	the lab's records, including records related to the lab's procedures and protocols, as well as 
50.31 	the seed potatoes, have been examined under the authority of the commissioner.
51.1 		Subd. 3.Certified. "Certified" means that the potatoes were have been inspected while 
51.2 	growing in the field and, when possible, again after being harvested, and were thereafter 
51.3 	duly certified by or under the authority of the commissioner, as provided the potatoes meet 
51.4 	the requirements in sections 21.111 to 21.122, and as provided by rules adopted and published 
51.5 	by the commissioner 21.125. For seed potatoes produced in a lab an indoor facility or 
51.6 	greenhouse, certified means that:
51.7 	(1) the seed potato lab facilities,and the lab's procedures, and protocols have been 
51.8 	examined under the authority of the commissioner; and.
51.9 	(2) the seed potatoes have been inspected after they have been harvested, removed, or 
51.10 	released from the lab, and were duly certified by or under the authority of the commissioner, 
51.11 	as provided in sections 21.111 to 21.122.
51.12 		Subd. 3a.Interstate cooperation. In order to best use state resources, the commissioner 
51.13 	may enter into agreements with other seed potato certification entities to carry out the 
51.14 	purposes of sections 21.111 to 21.122. Any agreement may provide for field inspections, 
51.15 	shipping point inspections, winter tests, and other certification functions to be carried out 
51.16 	by personnel employed by either entity according to methods determined by the certification 
51.17 	entities of the respective areas. The commissioner may extend seed potato certification 
51.18 	services to states where growers wish to grow certified seed potatoes and the state does not 
51.19 	have a seed potato certification program. Any agreement must be reported to the chairs of 
51.20 	the legislative committees responsible for the budget or policy of the seed potato inspection 
51.21 	program and to the commissioner of management and budget.
51.22 		Subd. 3b.Certified seed potatoes. "Certified seed potatoes" means potatoes that have 
51.23 	been produced, graded, sacked or placed in bulk, inspected, and certified in accordance with 
51.24 	this chapter.
51.25 		Subd. 3c.Class. "Class" means the seed quality level related to compliance with 
51.26 	tolerances for diseases and varietal purity.
51.27 		Subd. 3d.Clone. "Clone" means a unit of seed potatoes that is the progeny of one plant, 
51.28 	which has been tested to become eligible to produce Generation 1 class seed potatoes.
51.29 		Subd. 3e.Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture or 
51.30 	the commissioner's designee.
51.31 		Subd. 3f.Crop. "Crop" means all lots produced on a farm in one year.
51.32 		Subd. 3g.Department. "Department" means the Department of Agriculture.
52.1 		Subd. 3h.Explant. "Explant" means an in vitro potato plant or a plantlet that is produced 
52.2 	by rooting an excised tip of a tuber sprout or an axillary bud from a growing plant and that 
52.3 	serves as a parent for a whole clone or accession of micropropagated plants or plantlets.
52.4 		Subd. 3i.Farm. "Farm" means a potato-growing enterprise. Farm includes all land, 
52.5 	equipment, storage facilities, and laborers used to produce potatoes.
52.6 		Subd. 3j.Field. "Field" means a plot of land on a farm where potatoes are grown.
52.7 		Subd. 3k.Inspected. (a) For plants growing in a field, "inspected" means that the 
52.8 	commissioner has examined the plants in the field where the plants are grown and has 
52.9 	visually assessed the plants for disease and factors impacting quality.
52.10 	(b) For harvested potatoes, inspected means that the commissioner has observed the 
52.11 	tubers and, when requested, the commissioner has evaluated the tubers for quality and 
52.12 	conditions described in section 21.125.
52.13 	(c) For seed potatoes produced in a facility or greenhouse, inspected means that the 
52.14 	commissioner has examined the seed potatoes and the facility's records, including records 
52.15 	related to the facility's procedures and protocols.
52.16 		Subd. 3l.Lot. "Lot" means a group of seed potatoes of one variety, planted in one 
52.17 	continuous plot, grown on the same farm, and physically separated from other lots while 
52.18 	being grown and stored.
52.19 		Subd. 3m.Material in maintenance. "Material in maintenance" means propagative 
52.20 	material, plantlets, or tubers that are maintained, not multiplied, under controlled laboratory 
52.21 	conditions.
52.22 		Subd. 3n.Roguing. "Roguing" is the process of removing infected plants from a field 
52.23 	of certified seed potatoes.
52.24 		Subd. 3o.Stand. "Stand" is the live plant population in a certified seed potato lot.
52.25 		Subd. 5.Seed potatoes. "Seed potatoes" means potatoes used, sold, offered or exposed 
52.26 	for sale, or held with intent to sell or as a sample representing any lot or stock of potatoes 
52.27 	offered or exposed for sale or held with intent to sell within this state, for the purpose of 
52.28 	planting.
52.29 		Subd. 6.Person. "Person" includes an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a company, 
52.30 	a society, an association, and firms a firm.
52.31 		Subd. 7.Physically separated. "Physically separated" means separated by at least the 
52.32 	width of one row and markings such as flags at every corner of the lot.
53.1 		Subd. 8.Rejected. "Rejected" means that a field or lot fails to meet the certification 
53.2 	standards in this chapter.
53.3 		Subd. 9.Tuber units. "Tuber units" means the separate pieces of one tuber that are 
53.4 	planted consecutively in two or more hills in a row.
53.5 		Subd. 10.Winter testing. "Winter testing" means growing out and visually inspecting 
53.6 	a representative sample of tubers from each seed lot for stand, vigor, varietal purity, and 
53.7 	disease.

53.8 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.112, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
53.9 	read:
53.10 		Subd. 1a.Interstate cooperation. In order to best use state resources, the commissioner 
53.11 	may enter into agreements with other seed potato certification entities to carry out the 
53.12 	purposes of sections 21.111 to 21.125. An agreement under this subdivision may provide 
53.13 	for field inspections, shipping point inspections, winter testing, and other certification 
53.14 	functions to be carried out by personnel employed by either the commissioner or other seed 
53.15 	potato certification entities according to methods determined by the seed potato certification 
53.16 	entities. The commissioner may extend seed potato certification services to a state where 
53.17 	growers wish to grow certified seed potatoes and where the state does not have a seed potato 
53.18 	certification program. Any agreement under this subdivision must be reported to the chairs 
53.19 	and ranking minority members of the legislative committees responsible for the budget or 
53.20 	policy of the seed potato inspection program and to the commissioner of management and 
53.21 	budget.

53.22 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.113, is amended to read:
53.23 	21.113 SHIPPING POINT CERTIFICATES OF INSPECTION; CERTIFICATES 
53.24 	OF ORIGIN; AND BULK CERTIFICATES.
53.25 		Subdivision 1.Shipping point inspections. (a) The commissioner shall issue shipping 
53.26 	point certificates of inspection only when seed potatoes have been inspected while growing 
53.27 	in the field and again after being harvested.
53.28 	(b) For seed potatoes produced in a lab, the commissioner shall issue certificates of 
53.29 	inspection only after:
53.30 	(1) the seed potato lab facility and the lab's records have been inspected; and
53.31 	(2) the seed potatoes have been inspected after they have been harvested, removed, or 
53.32 	released from the lab.
54.1 	(c) (b) Certificates of inspection under this section shall show the varietal purity and the 
54.2 	freedom from disease and physical injury of such potatoes and any other information as 
54.3 	may be prescribed by rules adopted and published under sections 21.111 to 21.122 21.125.
54.4 		Subd. 2.Other certificates. (a) The use of a certificate of origin requires the approval 
54.5 	of the seller and the purchaser and must only be used for intrastate shipments between 
54.6 	certified seed potato producers. The certificate of origin must contain information considered 
54.7 	necessary by the commissioner and must at a minimum identify the producer, receiver, 
54.8 	variety, classification, quantity, date of shipment, and lot of the seed potatoes. The limitation 
54.9 	of warranty as described in paragraph (c) must not include any representation of the condition 
54.10 	of the potatoes at the time of shipment. A certificate of origin must only be used for intrastate 
54.11 	shipment if a shipping point inspection is not available. Use of a certificate of origin must 
54.12 	be approved by the commissioner prior to shipment.
54.13 	(b) A bulk certificate must include the date of issuance, class, grade, lot number, and 
54.14 	approximate weight of the load.
54.15 	(c) A certification does not represent a warranty of any kind, express or implied, including 
54.16 	merchantability, as to the quality of the crop produced from the certified seed potatoes. A 
54.17 	certification must only represent that the seed potatoes were produced, graded, sacked or 
54.18 	placed in bulk, and inspected in accordance with this chapter. A certification under this 
54.19 	subdivision must not include any representation of the condition of the potatoes at the time 
54.20 	of shipment.

54.21 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.115, is amended to read:
54.22 	21.115 FEES; SEED POTATO INSPECTION ACCOUNT.
54.23 	The commissioner shall fix the fees for all inspections and certifications in such amounts 
54.24 	as from time to time may be found necessary to pay the expenses of carrying out and 
54.25 	enforcing the purposes of sections 21.111 to 21.122 21.125, with a reasonable reserve, and 
54.26 	shall require the same to be paid before such inspections or certifications are made. All 
54.27 	moneys collected as fees or as penalties for violations of any of the provisions of such 
54.28 	sections shall be paid into the agricultural fund and credited to the seed potato inspection 
54.29 	account of the commissioner, which account is hereby created and appropriated for carrying 
54.30 	out the purposes of sections 21.111 to 21.122 21.125. Interest, if any, received on deposits 
54.31 	of these moneys shall be credited to the account, and there shall be paid into this fund any 
54.32 	sum provided by the legislature for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of such 
54.33 	sections.

55.1 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.117, is amended to read:
55.2 	21.117 APPLICATIONS FOR INSPECTIONS; WITHDRAWALS; 
55.3 	AMENDMENTS.
55.4 	(a) Any person may make application to the commissioner for inspection or certification 
55.5 	of seed potatoes growing or to be grown. Upon receiving such application and the required 
55.6 	fee and such other information as may be required, the commissioner shall cause such 
55.7 	potatoes to be inspected or certified in accordance with the provisions of sections 21.111 
55.8 	to 21.122 and the rules adopted and published thereunder 21.125.
55.9 	(b) If a grower wishes to withdraw a field or lab an application after having made a 
55.10 	timely application for inspection and such withdrawal is requested before the field or lab
55.11 	facility inspection has been made, the fee paid shall be refunded to said grower. A grower 
55.12 	must submit a withdrawal request in writing and include a reason for withdrawal. A grower 
55.13 	must remove withdrawn acres from production before the first field inspection.
55.14 	(c) If a grower wishes to amend an application after submitting a timely application for 
55.15 	inspection, the grower must submit the request in writing, including a reason for the 
55.16 	amendment.

55.17 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.119, is amended to read:
55.18 	21.119 USE OF CERTAIN TERMS FORBIDDEN; EXCEPTIONS.
55.19 	It shall be unlawful to use or employ the term "certified" or the term "inspected," or any 
55.20 	term or terms conveying a meaning substantially equivalent to the meaning of either of 
55.21 	these terms, either orally or in writing, printing, marking, or otherwise in reference to or in 
55.22 	connection with, or in advertising or characterizing or labeling seed potatoes or the containers 
55.23 	thereof, unless such potatoes shall have been duly inspected and certified pursuant to the 
55.24 	provisions of sections 21.111 to 21.122 21.125.

55.25 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.1195, is amended to read:
55.26 	21.1195 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PLANTING.
55.27 	(a) Seed potatoes may not be planted in the state in lots of totaling ten or more acres 
55.28 	unless the seed meets the minimum disease standards prescribed by the commissioner. Seed 
55.29 	potatoes may meet the standards by being certified in accordance with this chapter and rules 
55.30 	adopted by the commissioner, or under the certification program of another state or province 
55.31 	which, in the judgment of the commissioner, provides equivalent assurances of seed potato 
55.32 	quality. Seed potatoes may be planted without certification if they have had at least field 
56.1 	inspection as required for certified seed potatoes, have passed the field inspection standards 
56.2 	of disease tolerance, and are free from ring rot. A person that plants seed potatoes in violation 
56.3 	of this section is subject to a civil penalty of $20 per acre for each acre or part of an acre 
56.4 	planted in violation of this section. Failure to maintain complete and accurate records in 
56.5 	accordance with this section or rules adopted by the commissioner is an additional violation 
56.6 	resulting in a separate civil penalty of $200 for each failure is a violation and subject to 
56.7 	enforcement under chapter 18J.
56.8 	(b) If there is not available to be planted in this state, in any year, a sufficient volume 
56.9 	of potato seed meeting certified seed potato disease standards, in any or all varieties, the 
56.10 	commissioner may, upon application by one or more growers, permit seed that does not 
56.11 	comply with this section to be planted for that growing season if the seed does not pose a 
56.12 	serious disease threat.
56.13 	(c) Each grower shall keep records of each lot of seed potatoes planted. For each growing 
56.14 	season, the records must include, by field, the variety, planting location, number of acres 
56.15 	planted, and source of the seed potatoes. Each grower shall register fields and file records 
56.16 	as prescribed by the commissioner. All records must be made available for inspection by 
56.17 	the commissioner or the commissioner's agents during normal business hours.
56.18 	(d) In addition to the enforcement powers and penalties in this section, the commissioner 
56.19 	may issue a subpoena to a grower in order to compel delivery of records which are required 
56.20 	under this section. These subpoenas are enforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction.

56.21 	Sec. 30. [21.123] SEED POTATO CERTIFICATION.
56.22 		Subdivision 1.Eligibility. In order to produce certified seed potatoes, a grower must 
56.23 	comply with the following requirements:
56.24 	(1) a grower must ensure that potatoes meet the tolerances prescribed by this chapter 
56.25 	and the potatoes have been inspected by the commissioner while growing in a field;
56.26 	(2) a grower must ensure that all potatoes planted on the grower's farm have been entered 
56.27 	for certification by the commissioner;
56.28 	(3) a grower must ensure that each lot is grown while physically separated from other 
56.29 	lots. Markers must be visible to a person from any position in the field;
56.30 	(4) a grower must submit an application for certification before June 16 each year on 
56.31 	forms provided by the commissioner. The commissioner must charge a ten percent late 
56.32 	registration fee to a grower who submitted an application postmarked after June 15 and 
56.33 	before July 1. The commissioner may extend the deadline due to special circumstances, 
57.1 	such as a natural disaster, that make it impractical or impossible for planting to be completed 
57.2 	by the deadline and that affect an area or large number of growers. A grower must make a 
57.3 	request for an extension in writing before June 16;
57.4 	(5) an application for certification must include a North American Health Certificate 
57.5 	and a shipping point certificate, bulk seed certificate, or certificate of origin. The 
57.6 	commissioner may accept an incomplete application for certification;
57.7 	(6) an application for certification must demonstrate that the seed potatoes being entered 
57.8 	for certification originated from a class system in Minnesota or another state or province 
57.9 	under the supervision of another certifying agency; and
57.10 	(7) a grower must comply with sections 21.111 to 21.125. A grower's violation of sections 
57.11 	21.111 to 21.125 is cause for the commissioner to reject the grower's field or lot. A grower 
57.12 	must not sell or label potatoes as certified seed potatoes when the potatoes were grown in 
57.13 	a rejected field or lot.
57.14 		Subd. 2.Certification process. (a) As part of the certification process, the commissioner 
57.15 	must visually inspect sample plants from each field and lot belonging to the grower, except 
57.16 	that the commissioner is not required to visually inspect sample plants and tubers when 
57.17 	certifying prenuclear class potatoes.
57.18 	(b) For seed potato varieties that do not exhibit visible symptoms of a specific pathogen, 
57.19 	the commissioner must subject the seed potatoes to laboratory tests to determine the level 
57.20 	of a pathogen in a seed lot. Testing under this paragraph may occur during the growing 
57.21 	season, the storage season, or winter testing.
57.22 	(c) The commissioner may not accept an application for certification from a grower in 
57.23 	a community or county without sufficient acreage for total inspection fee charges to cover 
57.24 	the cost of wages and expenses of the commissioner to complete an inspection. The 
57.25 	commissioner may make a determination of sufficient acreage under this paragraph before 
57.26 	conducting an inspection as part of the certification process.
57.27 	(d) The commissioner must not inspect a field for certification unless both the planted 
57.28 	seed potato variety and the particular planted lot have been authorized by the commissioner. 
57.29 	When considering the authorization of a particular seed potato variety for planting as certified 
57.30 	seed potatoes, the commissioner must consider scientific evidence and the expert opinions 
57.31 	of inspectors.
57.32 	(e) The following classes of seed potatoes are eligible for planting as certified seed 
57.33 	potatoes: Prenuclear (PN), Generation 1 (G1), Generation 2 (G2), Generation 3 (G3), 
58.1 	Generation 4 (G4), Generation 5 (G5), and experimental class seed potatoes. The 
58.2 	commissioner may authorize the planting of Certified (C) class or Generation 6 (G6) class 
58.3 	seed potatoes if the commissioner determines that the seeds do not pose a serious threat of 
58.4 	disease to the public.
58.5 		Subd. 3.Bacterial ring rot or potato spindle tuber viroid. If the commissioner finds 
58.6 	the presence of bacterial ring rot or potato spindle tuber viroid in a field or lot, the 
58.7 	commissioner must reject the entire field or lot. If the commissioner discovers a single plant 
58.8 	in a field or a tuber in storage that is infected with bacterial ring rot or potato spindle tuber 
58.9 	viroid, the commissioner must reject the entire field or lot where the plant was grown. If 
58.10 	the commissioner has not found bacterial ring rot or potato spindle tuber viroid in a field 
58.11 	or lot, the field or lot is not necessarily free from either disease.
58.12 		Subd. 4.Winter testing. (a) In order to detect certain virus diseases, the commissioner 
58.13 	must conduct winter testing of a sample from each class seeking eligibility for recertification, 
58.14 	except PN and experimental classes. The commissioner must grow out and visually inspect 
58.15 	a representative sample of tubers from each seed lot for stand, vigor, varietal purity, and 
58.16 	disease. If, during a visual inspection, a plant shows signs of potato virus Y or potato leafroll 
58.17 	virus, or if the plant is of a variety that does not express visual symptoms of infection, the 
58.18 	commissioner must ensure that a sample of the plant is lab tested for potato virus Y and 
58.19 	potato leafroll virus. The commissioner must determine whether a field or lot contains the 
58.20 	threshold amount of disease permitted under section 21.124, subdivision 9. The commissioner 
58.21 	must include any lot that passes winter testing in the approved list of certified seed lots 
58.22 	eligible for recertification.
58.23 	(b) If the commissioner determines that a winter test of a lot or field has a serious 
58.24 	malfunction, the commissioner must base classification of the lot or field on summer field 
58.25 	readings from the previous year or lab testing.
58.26 	(c) Instead of winter testing a sample, the commissioner may accept comprehensive lab 
58.27 	testing if the commissioner determines that special circumstances exist, such as a natural 
58.28 	disaster, that would make submission of samples for inclusion in winter testing impractical 
58.29 	or impossible.
58.30 	(d) The commissioner must reject a field or lot if the commissioner determines that a 
58.31 	large number of plants are missing from the field or lot due to disease.
58.32 	(e) The commissioner must reject a field or lot if the commissioner determines that the 
58.33 	field or lot contains a large number of weak plants.
59.1 	(f) The commissioner may reject a field or lot if the field or lot contains a large number 
59.2 	of plants that have a mixture of variety.
59.3 		Subd. 5.Seed potato certification classes. Seed potato certification classes must be 
59.4 	differentiated by the potatoes' compliance with disease tolerances, varietal purity, and seed 
59.5 	origin. Seed potato certification classes are: Prenuclear (PN), Generation 1 (G1), Generation 
59.6 	2 (G2), Generation 3 (G3), Generation 4 (G4), Generation 5 (G5), Generation 6 (G6), and 
59.7 	Certified (C).
59.8 		Subd. 6.Experimental status. (a) Lots from a breeder's seed that have not been tested 
59.9 	and have not been determined to be virus-free are considered experimental. The commissioner 
59.10 	must designate seedlings or numbered selections in experimental status as a class and 
59.11 	determine requirements of that class.
59.12 	(b) To obtain experimental status under this subdivision, an applicant must submit a 
59.13 	written statement from the seedlings' or numbered selections' breeder, originator, or 
59.14 	originator's designee verifying that the applicant has full and unrestricted rights to introduce 
59.15 	the seedlings or numbered selections into the commercial market and that the applicant may 
59.16 	apply to enter the seedlings or numbered selections into the certification system. The written 
59.17 	statement must accompany the certification application submitted by the applicant.
59.18 	(c) After reviewing the applicant's written statement and certification application, the 
59.19 	commissioner may designate seedlings or numbered selections described in the application 
59.20 	as having experimental status.
59.21 	(d) After an applicant is notified by the commissioner that the seedlings or numbered 
59.22 	selections have experimental status, the applicant must ensure that the seedlings or numbered 
59.23 	selections are tagged with the word "EXPERIMENTAL."
59.24 		Subd. 7.Protected varieties. If an applicant seeks to enter a seed potato variety protected 
59.25 	under the Plant Variety Protection Act Amendments of 1994 into the certification system, 
59.26 	the applicant must submit a written statement from the breeder, originator, or originator's 
59.27 	designee that the applicant has full and unrestricted rights to introduce the protected variety 
59.28 	into the certification system. The applicant must ensure that the written statement 
59.29 	accompanies the certification application for any protected seed potato variety.
59.30 		Subd. 8.Certification factors; field inspection. (a) The commissioner must consider 
59.31 	the following factors when conducting a field inspection pursuant to a certification 
59.32 	application:
60.1 	(1) the commissioner must reject a field or lot if a large number of plants are missing 
60.2 	due to disease;
60.3 	(2) the commissioner must reject a field or lot if the field or lot contains a large number 
60.4 	of weak plants;
60.5 	(3) the commissioner must inspect a field or lot for bacterial ring rot.  The commissioner 
60.6 	must reject a field or lot if the commissioner finds the presence of bacterial ring rot.  If 
60.7 	bacterial ring rot is present in a field or lot, the remaining crop is not eligible for certification 
60.8 	planting;
60.9 	(4) the commissioner must reject a field or lot if the field or lot contains potatoes with 
60.10 	a level of disease higher than the acceptable tolerance for the disease for the potatoes' seed 
60.11 	potato certification class according to section 21.124, subdivision 9;
60.12 	(5) the commissioner must reject a field or lot if the field or lot contains a percentage 
60.13 	of diseased plants that exceeds the acceptable percentage of disease listed in section 21.124 
60.14 	for the seed potato certification class;
60.15 	(6) the commissioner must reject a field or lot if any of the following are present in the 
60.16 	field or lot to such an extent that the commissioner is unable to complete a satisfactory 
60.17 	inspection for diseases: early or late blight, blackleg or wilt of any kind, weeds, plant injury 
60.18 	from insects, or chemical damage; and
60.19 	(7) the commissioner must reject a field or lot if any other conditions are present to such 
60.20 	an extent that the commissioner is unable to make a satisfactory inspection for diseases.
60.21 	(b) The commissioner must determine that a field is ineligible for certification if cull 
60.22 	piles are in such close vicinity to the field that it is likely that the field is contaminated.
60.23 	(c) The commissioner must make at least two field inspections of a field during the 
60.24 	growing season. The commissioner must conduct a final inspection of a field for bacterial 
60.25 	ring rot during the time of year that symptoms of bacterial ring rot are most likely to be 
60.26 	observed. If the commissioner is unable to conduct a final inspection under this paragraph 
60.27 	due to management practices of the grower or for a reason that is out of the grower's control, 
60.28 	such as a natural disaster, the grower must ensure that laboratory testing is conducted to 
60.29 	maintain eligibility for certification. An additional inspection or additional laboratory testing 
60.30 	may be necessary to meet phytosanitary requirements in established markets in another state 
60.31 	or in a Canadian province.
60.32 		Subd. 9.Roguing. If any of the diseases listed in section 21.124, subdivision 1, are 
60.33 	present in a field in amounts greater than the maximum disease tolerance level, the grower 
61.1 	must rogue the field and remove the infected plants before the final inspection by the 
61.2 	commissioner. If a grower has completed roguing a field after tubers have formed, the 
61.3 	grower must remove and destroy all tubers from rogued plants.
61.4 		Subd. 10.Storage. (a) A grower must ensure that a lot is stored under conditions that 
61.5 	prevent disease contamination. A grower must not store a lot in any warehouse where other 
61.6 	potatoes are stored, unless the grower labels the lot according to paragraph (b).
61.7 	(b) If more than one grower stores lots in the same warehouse, each grower must identify 
61.8 	the grower's lots by labeling the bin containing the lot with the grower's name, the grower's 
61.9 	address, the variety of potatoes in the bin, and the number of potatoes in the bin.
61.10 	(c) If a grower plans to store a lot in a public warehouse or storage unit that is not directly 
61.11 	under the grower's control, the grower must send a complete record of storage to the 
61.12 	commissioner prior to storing the lot.  The record must include the address and location of 
61.13 	the public warehouse or storage unit, the variety of potatoes in each bin, and the number of 
61.14 	potatoes in each bin. If a warehouse receipt for the lot is available, the grower must submit 
61.15 	a copy of the warehouse receipt to the commissioner. If more than one grower stores lots 
61.16 	in the same public warehouse or storage unit, the grower must label each lot according to 
61.17 	paragraph (b).
61.18 	(d) A grower must not use the same equipment for grading and handling lots of certified 
61.19 	seed potatoes and other potatoes. If a grower has used the same equipment for grading and 
61.20 	handling certified seed potatoes and other potatoes, the commissioner must reject the grower's 
61.21 	lots.
61.22 	(e) A firm that handles lots under contract must label each bin containing a lot with the 
61.23 	name of the grower whose lots are being stored. A firm handling lots under contract must 
61.24 	properly label and handle bins containing lots. A certification tag or bulk certificate must 
61.25 	not be issued unless all bins are properly labeled according to this paragraph.
61.26 	(f) By November 1 of each crop year, a grower must submit to the commissioner a 
61.27 	completed storage and yield report for each lot on a form prescribed by the commissioner. 
61.28 	The commissioner may extend the deadline after November 1 due to special circumstances, 
61.29 	such as a natural disaster, that would make it impractical or impossible for a grower to 
61.30 	complete harvesting and storage by November 1 and that affect an area or a large number 
61.31 	of growers. A grower must submit a written request for an extension to the commissioner 
61.32 	before November 1 of the crop year for which the extension is sought.
61.33 		Subd. 11.Tags; bulk certificates. (a) Once the commissioner has informed a grower 
61.34 	that the grower's potatoes meet the certification requirements in sections 21.111 to 21.125, 
62.1 	a grower may tag the potatoes using an approved tag indicating the grade of potatoes as 
62.2 	blue-tag-certified seed potato grade, yellow-tag-certified seed potato grade, or 
62.3 	white-tag-certified seed potato grade. A grower's name, the city where the farm is located, 
62.4 	the potato variety, and the crop year must be printed on a tag under this subdivision.
62.5 	(b) When fastening a tag to a potato sack, a grower must fasten the tag to the sack to 
62.6 	form a seal at the time that the lot or shipment is prepared.
62.7 	(c) A bulk certificate must include the date that the certificate was issued, class, grade, 
62.8 	lot number, shipping point certificate number, and approximate weight of the lot.
62.9 	(d) Only the person who grew the potatoes may order or print tags for the potatoes once 
62.10 	the commissioner has informed the person that the potatoes meet certification requirements 
62.11 	under sections 21.111 to 21.125.
62.12 	(e) A grower may print a tag for potatoes if the grower has provided proof of each lot 
62.13 	to the commissioner for review before using the tag. A tag printed by a grower must contain 
62.14 	the following statement: "The quality and condition of each lot is only confirmed through 
62.15 	a shipping point inspection certificate. This tag, without an accompanying shipping point 
62.16 	inspection certificate, is not proof that the potatoes contained within have been duly 
62.17 	inspected."
62.18 		Subd. 12.Certified seed potato grades. Certified seed potatoes must be classified by 
62.19 	certified seed potato grades based on the number of physical defects of tubers. A grower 
62.20 	must only use a certified seed potato grade for potatoes after a shipping point inspection of 
62.21 	the potatoes has been completed. The following three grades of certified seed potatoes must 
62.22 	be used for Minnesota-certified seed potatoes:
62.23 	(1) the blue-tag-certified seed potato grade is the first grade of certified seed potatoes. 
62.24 	The blue-tag-certified seed potato grade is stricter than other grades. The blue-tag-certified 
62.25 	seed potato grade does not allow as many physical defects of tubers as other grades. A 
62.26 	grower may use the blue-tag-certified seed potato grade for intrastate and interstate shipments 
62.27 	of certified seed potatoes;
62.28 	(2) the yellow-tag-certified seed potato grade is the second grade of certified seed 
62.29 	potatoes. The yellow-tag-certified seed potato grade allows more physical defects of tubers 
62.30 	than the blue-tag-certified seed potato grade. A grower may use the yellow-tag-certified 
62.31 	seed potato grade for intrastate and interstate shipments of certified seed potatoes; and
62.32 	(3) the white-tag-certified seed potato grade is the third grade of certified seed potatoes. 
62.33 	The number of physical defects that the white-tag-certified seed potato grade allows is 
63.1 	determined by an agreement between the purchaser and seller of the certified seed potatoes. 
63.2 	A grower may use the white-tag-certified seed potato grade for intrastate and interstate 
63.3 	shipments of certified seed potatoes.
63.4 		Subd. 13.Grading. (a) A grower must ensure that a lot is inspected at the shipping point 
63.5 	if the lot requires a grade statement.
63.6 	(b) If an inspection at the shipping point is impossible, a grower must request a grading 
63.7 	inspection in transit.
63.8 	(c) A grower must ensure that a bagged lot or shipment offered for sale and tagged with 
63.9 	approved certification tags is contained in new even-weight sacks.
63.10 	(d) A grower must ensure that a bulk shipment is identified with a bulk certificate.
63.11 	(e) A grower must ensure that a bagged lot and bulk lot or shipment meets grade standards 
63.12 	in section 21.125.
63.13 	(f) A grower must recondition a lot or shipment that fails to meet the grade standards in 
63.14 	section 21.125.
63.15 	(g) If a lot or shipment fails to meet grade standards and is contained in sacks, a grower 
63.16 	must remove approved certification tags from the lot or shipment before the lot or shipment 
63.17 	may proceed to its destination.
63.18 	(h) If a shipment is in bulk and fails to meet grade standards in section 21.125, a bulk 
63.19 	certificate must not be issued.
63.20 	(i) If a lot or shipment fails to meet grade standards, the shipper must bear the costs of 
63.21 	reconditioning potatoes to meet the grade standards in section 21.125.

63.22 	Sec. 31. [21.124] REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCTION OF DIFFERENT 
63.23 	CLASSES OF CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES.
63.24 		Subdivision 1.Prenuclear class certified seed potatoes.  (a) A lot grown as and intended 
63.25 	to be prenuclear class certified seed potatoes must be grown from plants tested and shown 
63.26 	to be free from the following pathogens:
63.27 	(1) Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (ring rot);
63.28 	(2) Pectobacterium atrosepticum ssp. Atrosepticum, carotovora (blackleg);
63.29 	(3) potato virus X;
63.30 	(4) potato virus S;
64.1 	(5) potato virus A;
64.2 	(6) potato virus M;
64.3 	(7) potato virus Y;
64.4 	(8) potato spindle tuber viroid; and
64.5 	(9) potato leafroll virus.
64.6 	(b) When growing prenuclear class seed potatoes, a grower must ensure that each explant 
64.7 	or tuber is tested for organisms for which testing is required by the state or province of 
64.8 	destination. A grower must ensure that material in maintenance is tested during the year of 
64.9 	producing prenuclear class seed potatoes.
64.10 	(c) A grower must produce prenuclear class seed potatoes in a greenhouse, facility, or 
64.11 	screenhouse under sanitary conditions, free from insects and weeds that can harbor or 
64.12 	transmit potato diseases or other conditions that would allow possible disease contamination. 
64.13 	A grower must ensure that a facility used for growing prenuclear seed potatoes is sufficiently 
64.14 	insulated from insects by screens and double doors.  The commissioner may inspect any 
64.15 	facility or equipment used for growing, handling, and storing prenuclear class seed potatoes 
64.16 	to verify that the facility or equipment complies with this paragraph.
64.17 	(d) A grower must ensure that one percent of each lot or ten plants or tubers from each 
64.18 	lot, whichever is greater, is tested during the growing season to verify that the crop is free 
64.19 	from potato virus X, potato virus Y, potato leafroll virus, C. michiganensis, and P. 
64.20 	atrosepticum.
64.21 	(e) Prenuclear tubers may originate from greenhouse tubers for one year only if the 
64.22 	greenhouse tubers have remained at the same growing operation and have remained isolated 
64.23 	from field-grown tubers.
64.24 	(f) Prenuclear class certified seed potatoes must not contain more than the allowable 
64.25 	tolerances for disease and varietal mixture in subdivision 9.
64.26 		Subd. 2.Generation 1 class certified seed potatoes. (a) Generation 1 class seed potatoes 
64.27 	must meet the following requirements:
64.28 	(1) the seed source must be either prenuclear tubers, clones, or plantlets; and
64.29 	(2) tuber units or plantlets must be planted in identifiable family units.
64.30 	(b) Subject to the commissioner's approval, lots in Generation 1 class may be exempt 
64.31 	from winter testing requirements if leaves collected during the growing season are laboratory 
65.1 	tested and shown to be within the allowable tolerance of potato virus X, potato virus Y, and 
65.2 	other pathogens identified by the commissioner.
65.3 	(c) Each lot must be stored in an individual identifiable unit.
65.4 	(d) Generation 1 seed potatoes must not contain more than the allowable tolerances for 
65.5 	disease and varietal mixture for seed potatoes in subdivision 9.
65.6 		Subd. 3.Generation 2 class certified seed potatoes. Generation 2 class seed potatoes 
65.7 	must originate from Generation 1 class seed potatoes. Generation 2 class seed potatoes must 
65.8 	not contain more than the allowable tolerances of disease and varietal mixture in subdivision 
65.9 	9.
65.10 		Subd. 4.Generation 3 class certified seed potatoes. Generation 3 class seed potatoes 
65.11 	must originate from Generation 2 class seed potatoes. Generation 3 class seed potatoes must 
65.12 	not contain more than the allowable tolerances of disease and varietal mixture in subdivision 
65.13 	9.
65.14 		Subd. 5.Generation 4 class certified seed potatoes. Generation 4 class seed potatoes 
65.15 	must originate from Generation 3 class seed potatoes. Generation 4 class seed potatoes must 
65.16 	not contain more than the allowable tolerances for disease and varietal mixture in subdivision 
65.17 	9.
65.18 		Subd. 6.Generation 5 class certified seed potatoes. Generation 5 class seed potatoes 
65.19 	must originate from Generation 4 class seed potatoes. Generation 5 class seed potatoes must 
65.20 	not contain more than the allowable tolerances for disease and varietal mixture in subdivision 
65.21 	9.
65.22 		Subd. 7.Generation 6 class certified seed potatoes. Generation 6 class seed potatoes 
65.23 	must originate from Generation 5 class seed potatoes. Generation 6 class seed potatoes must 
65.24 	not contain more than the allowable tolerances for disease and varietal mixture in subdivision 
65.25 	9.
65.26 		Subd. 8.Certified class certified seed potatoes. Certified class seed potatoes must 
65.27 	originate from generation classes of seed potatoes. Certified class seed potatoes must not 
65.28 	contain more than the allowable tolerances for disease and varietal mixture in subdivision 
65.29 	9.
65.30 		Subd. 9.Allowable tolerances for diseases and varietal mixture by generation 
65.31 	class. The numbers represent the percentage of potatoes that may be affected out of an 
65.32 	individual lot.

66.1		PN
	G1
	G2
	G3
	G4
	G5
	G6
	C
	
66.2	Tolerances:
									
66.3
66.4
66.5	Severe Mosaic from 
potato virus Y, A, M, 
X, and/or S
	0
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	1
	
66.6	Leafroll
	0
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	1
	
66.7	Total
	0
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	1
	
66.8	Other viruses
	0
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	
66.966.10
66.11
	Mycoplasms (haywire, 
witches broom, yellow 
dwarf)
	0
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	
66.12	Total
	0
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	
66.13	Blackleg
	0
	0
	0.2
	0.5
	1
	exc.
	exc.
	exc.
	
66.14	Varietal mixture
	0
	0
	0
	0.1
	0.1
	0.1
	0.2
	0.2
	
66.15
66.16	Ring Rot and Spindle 
Tuber
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0
	
66.17	Winter Test:
									
66.18
66.19
66.20	Virus or expressing 
symptoms of chemical 
damage
	-
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5
	0.5

66.21 	Sec. 32. [21.125] MINNESOTA CERTIFIED SEED POTATO GRADES AND 
66.22 	TOLERANCES.
66.23 		Subdivision 1.Certified seed potato grading. Potatoes must meet the requirements of 
66.24 	sections 21.111 to 21.125 to be graded as certified seed potatoes.
66.25 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
66.26 	meanings given.
66.27 	(b) "Damage" means any defect or combination of defects that materially affects the 
66.28 	appearance of the individual potato, or that cannot be removed without a loss of more than 
66.29 	five percent of the total weight of the potato, including the peel covering the defective area.
66.30 	(c) "Diameter" means the greatest dimension at right angles to the longitudinal axis. 
66.31 	Diameter means the long axis.
66.32 	(d) "Dry rot" means decaying tissue that is dry.
66.33 	(e) "Fairly clean" means that the individual potato is reasonably free from dirt, staining, 
66.34 	or other foreign matter.
66.35 	(f) "Fairly well-shaped" means that the individual potato is not materially pointed, 
66.36 	dumbbell-shaped, or otherwise ill-formed.
67.1 	(g) "Mature" means that the outer skin does not loosen or feather readily during the 
67.2 	ordinary methods of handling.
67.3 	(h) "Serious damage" means any defect or combination of defects that seriously affects 
67.4 	the appearance of the individual potato or that cannot be removed without a loss of more 
67.5 	than ten percent of the total weight of the potato, including the peel covering the defective 
67.6 	area.
67.7 	(i) "Slightly dirty" means the appearance is not materially affected by dirt, staining, or 
67.8 	other foreign matter.
67.9 	(j) "Soft rot" or "wet breakdown" means any soft, mushy, or leaky condition of potato 
67.10 	tissues.
67.11 	(k) "Well-shaped" means the normal shape for a variety.
67.12 		Subd. 3.Damage. The commissioner must find that one or more of the following defects 
67.13 	constitutes damage:
67.14 	(1) a russet scab that materially detracts from the appearance of a potato;
67.15 	(2) second growth or growth cracks that materially affect the appearance of an individual 
67.16 	potato;
67.17 	(3) air cracks when removal of the air cracks causes a loss of more than five percent of 
67.18 	the total weight of a potato;
67.19 	(4) a potato that is more than moderately shriveled, spongy, or flabby;
67.20 	(5) an individual potato that has sprouts over one inch in length;
67.21 	(6) a surface scab, powdery scab, or pitted scab that covers more than five percent of 
67.22 	the surface of a potato or a surface scab, powdery scab, or pitted scab that, when removed, 
67.23 	causes a potato to lose more than five percent of the potato's total weight, including peel 
67.24 	covering a defective area of the potato; or
67.25 	(7) more than 50 percent of a potato's surface contains scattered, lightly caked soil or 
67.26 	more than 15 percent of a potato's surface is badly caked with soil.
67.27 		Subd. 4.Serious damage. The commissioner must find that one or more of the following 
67.28 	defects constitutes serious damage:
67.29 	(1) a russet scab that seriously detracts from the appearance of a potato;
67.30 	(2) the appearance of a potato is seriously affected by caked or smeared dirt or other 
67.31 	foreign matter;
68.1 	(3) both ends of a potato are cut or clipped, more than an estimated one-fourth of a potato 
68.2 	is cut away from one end, or a remaining portion of a clipped potato weighs less than six 
68.3 	ounces;
68.4 	(4) one or more cuts that seriously affect the appearance of a potato or that cannot be 
68.5 	removed without the loss of more than ten percent of a potato's total weight, including peel 
68.6 	covering the defective area;
68.7 	(5) a potato that is excessively shriveled, spongy, or flabby;
68.8 	(6) a surface scab, powdery scab, or pitted scab that covers more than 25 percent of the 
68.9 	surface of a potato or a surface scab, powdery scab, or pitted scab that, when removed, 
68.10 	causes a loss of more than ten percent of a potato's total weight, including peel covering the 
68.11 	defective area; or
68.12 	(7) wireworm or air cracks that, when removed, cause a loss of more than ten percent 
68.13 	of a potato's total weight.
68.14 		Subd. 5.Application of tolerance. If the average of an entire lot is within the disease 
68.15 	tolerances specified for the grade in section 21.124, subdivision 9, an individual container 
68.16 	in the lot may contain no more than double the disease tolerance specified in section 21.124, 
68.17 	subdivision 9, except that sprouts, at least one defective specimen with a defect other than 
68.18 	bacterial ring rot, and one off size specimen is permitted. This subdivision does not apply 
68.19 	to bulk conveyances.
68.20 		Subd. 6.Condition after transit. Deterioration that developed in transit must affect the 
68.21 	condition of potatoes. Deterioration that developed in transit must not affect the grade of 
68.22 	potatoes.
68.23 		Subd. 7.Minnesota blue-tag-certified seed potato grade. (a) To be graded as Minnesota 
68.24 	blue-tag-certified seed potatoes, potatoes must meet the following requirements:
68.25 	(1) at the time of the shipping point inspection, potatoes must be of one variety; 
68.26 	unwashed; fairly well-shaped; free from bacterial ring rot, late blight, freezing, black heart, 
68.27 	and soft rot or wet breakdown; free from damage caused by soil or other foreign matter, 
68.28 	second growth, air cracks, cuts, shriveling, sprouts, pitted scabs, surface scabs, powdery 
68.29 	scabs, russet scabs, dry rot, other diseases, insects or worms, mechanical or other means, 
68.30 	or flattened or depressed areas with underlying flesh discoloration; and free from serious 
68.31 	damage caused by hollow heart, wireworm, growth cracks, or internal discoloration other 
68.32 	than hollow heart. Sunburn and silver scurf must not be considered factors that affect the 
69.1 	grading of potatoes. This clause does not apply to hollow heart if the potatoes are labeled 
69.2 	"hollow heart exempt" on the affixed tag or accompanying certificate; and
69.3 	(2) for round or intermediate shaped varieties, the maximum potato size is 12 ounces 
69.4 	(340.2 grams) and, unless otherwise specified, the minimum size must not be less than 1-1/2 
69.5 	inches (38.1 millimeters) in diameter. For long varieties, the maximum size is 14 ounces 
69.6 	(396.9 grams) and, unless otherwise specified, the minimum size must not be less than 1-1/2 
69.7 	inches (38.1 millimeters) in diameter. For all varieties, the minimum diameter for size "B" 
69.8 	must not be less than 1-1/2 inches (38.1 millimeters) and the maximum size must not be 
69.9 	more than 2-1/4 inches (57.1 millimeters) in diameter. The department may grade potatoes 
69.10 	that do not meet the maximum and minimum size specifications as Minnesota 
69.11 	blue-tag-certified seed potatoes if the buyer agrees to accept potatoes of alternate size 
69.12 	specifications from the grower and the specifications are listed on the affixed tag or 
69.13 	accompanying bulk certificate issued by the department.
69.14 	(b) To allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following lot 
69.15 	tolerances are permitted:
69.16 	(1) for defects:
69.17 	(i) up to ten percent of a lot may be seriously damaged by hollow heart, unless labeled 
69.18 	"hollow heart exempt" on the affixed tag or accompanying certificate;
69.19 	(ii) up to five percent of a lot may be seriously damaged by internal discoloration due 
69.20 	to causes other than hollow heart;
69.21 	(iii) up to ten percent of a lot may be damaged by soil or other foreign matter;
69.22 	(iv) up to 20 percent of a lot may be damaged by sprouts;
69.23 	(v) up to ten percent of a lot may be seriously damaged by wireworm;
69.24 	(vi) for potatoes that fail to meet the remaining requirements of the potatoes' grade, a 
69.25 	lot may contain up to a total of six percent of the following defects combined and must not 
69.26 	contain more than the following percentage of defects:
69.27 	(A) soft rot, frozen, or wet breakdown, 0.5 percent;
69.28 	(B) damage by surface scab, powdery scab, or pitted scab, 2.0 percent;
69.29 	(C) damage by dry rot, 2.0 percent, of which not more than 1.0 percent is late blight 
69.30 	tuber rot;
69.31 	(D) bacterial ring rot, 0.0 percent; and
70.1 	(E) late blight tuber rot, 1.0 percent; and
70.2 	(vii) the presence of the following does not affect seed quality and must not be scored 
70.3 	against the potatoes' grade:
70.4 	(A) brown discoloration following skinning;
70.5 	(B) dried stems;
70.6 	(C) flattened or depressed areas showing no underlying flesh discoloration;
70.7 	(D) greening;
70.8 	(E) sunburn;
70.9 	(F) skin checks; and
70.10 	(G) silver scurf; and
70.11 	(2) for off size:
70.12 	(i) up to five percent of potatoes may fail to meet the required or specified minimum 
70.13 	size; and
70.14 	(ii) up to ten percent of potatoes may fail to meet the required maximum size.
70.15 		Subd. 8.Minnesota yellow-tag-certified seed potato grade. (a) To be graded as 
70.16 	Minnesota yellow-tag-certified seed potatoes, potatoes must meet the following requirements:
70.17 	(1) at the time of the shipping point inspection, the potatoes must be of one variety; 
70.18 	unwashed; fairly well-shaped; free from bacterial ring rot, late blight, freezing, black heart, 
70.19 	and soft rot or wet breakdown; free from damage caused by second growth, air cracks, cuts, 
70.20 	shriveling, pitted scabs, surface scabs, powdery scabs, dry rot, other diseases, insects or 
70.21 	worms, or mechanical means or other means; and free from serious damage caused by soil 
70.22 	or other foreign matter, hollow heart, wireworm, growth cracks, russet scabs, or internal 
70.23 	discoloration other than hollow heart. Sunburn and silver scurf must not be considered 
70.24 	factors that affect the grading of potatoes. This clause does not apply to hollow heart if 
70.25 	labeled "hollow heart exempt" on the affixed tag or accompanying certificate; and
70.26 	(2) for all varieties, the maximum potato size is 14 ounces (396.9 grams) and the 
70.27 	minimum size is 1-1/2 inch (38.1 millimeter) in diameter. For all varieties, the minimum 
70.28 	diameter for size "B" must not be less than 1-1/2 inches (38.1 millimeters) and the maximum 
70.29 	diameter must not be more than 2-1/4 inches (57.1 millimeters). The department may grade 
70.30 	potatoes that do not meet the maximum and minimum size specifications as Minnesota 
70.31 	yellow-tag-certified seed potatoes if the buyer agrees to accept potatoes with alternate size 
71.1 	specifications from the grower and the size specifications are listed on the affixed tag or 
71.2 	accompanying bulk certificate issued by the department.
71.3 	(b) To allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following lot 
71.4 	tolerances are permitted:
71.5 	(1) for defects:
71.6 	(i) up to 20 percent of potatoes may be seriously damaged by hollow heart, unless labeled 
71.7 	"hollow heart exempt" on the affixed tag or accompanying certificate;
71.8 	(ii) up to five percent of potatoes may be seriously damaged by internal discoloration 
71.9 	due to a cause other than hollow heart;
71.10 	(iii) up to ten percent of potatoes may be seriously damaged by soil or other foreign 
71.11 	matter;
71.12 	(iv) up to ten percent of potatoes may be seriously damaged by wireworm;
71.13 	(v) up to 20 percent of a lot may have defects if the potatoes fail to meet the remaining 
71.14 	requirements of the grade. Of the 20 percent of defects allowed, a lot may contain a total 
71.15 	of six percent of the following defects combined and must not contain more than the 
71.16 	following percentage of defects:
71.17 	(A) soft rot, frozen, or wet breakdown, 0.5 percent;
71.18 	(B) damage by surface scab, powdery scab, or pitted scab, 5.0 percent;
71.19 	(C) damage by dry rot, 2.0 percent, of which not more than 1.0 percent is late blight 
71.20 	tuber rot;
71.21 	(D) bacterial ring rot, 0.0 percent; and
71.22 	(E) late blight tuber rot, 1.0 percent; and
71.23 	(vi) the presence of the following does not affect seed quality and must not be scored 
71.24 	against the grade:
71.25 	(A) brown discoloration following skinning;
71.26 	(B) dried stems;
71.27 	(C) flattened or depressed areas showing no underlying flesh discoloration;
71.28 	(D) greening;
71.29 	(E) sunburn;
71.30 	(F) skin checks;
72.1 	(G) silver scurf; and
72.2 	(H) sprouts; and
72.3 	(2) for off size:
72.4 	(i) five percent for potatoes that fail to meet the required or specified minimum size; 
72.5 	and
72.6 	(ii) ten percent for potatoes that fail to meet the required maximum size.
72.7 	(c) The potatoes must be fairly well-shaped, with an exception for long varieties when 
72.8 	specified as "except for shape." When specified as "except for shape," the tubers may be 
72.9 	misshapen.
72.10 		Subd. 9.Minnesota white-tag-certified seed potato grade. Minnesota white-tag-certified 
72.11 	seed potato grade consists of certified seed potatoes that are graded according to agreement 
72.12 	between the seller and the purchaser as to size and defects, except that not more than one-half 
72.13 	percent of soft rot, frozen, or wet breakdown and two percent dry rot, of which not more 
72.14 	than one percent late blight tuber rot is allowed.

72.15 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 21.891, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
72.16 		Subd. 2.Seed fee permits. (a) A labeler who wishes to sell seed in Minnesota must 
72.17 	comply with section 21.89, subdivisions 1 and 2, and the procedures in this subdivision. 
72.18 	Each labeler who wishes to sell seed in Minnesota must apply to the commissioner to obtain 
72.19 	a permit. The application must contain the name and address of the applicant, the application 
72.20 	date, and the name and title of the applicant's contact person. Permit fees are based on the 
72.21 	initial sale of seed in Minnesota.
72.22 	(b) The application for a seed permit covered by section 21.89, subdivision 2, clause 
72.23 	(1), must be accompanied by an application fee of $75.
72.24 	(c) The application for a seed permit covered by section 21.89, subdivision 2, clause 
72.25 	(2), must be accompanied by an application fee based on the level of annual gross sales as 
72.26 	follows:
72.27 	(1) for gross sales of $0 to $25,000, the annual permit fee is $75;
72.28 	(2) for gross sales of $25,001 to $50,000, the annual permit fee is $150;
72.29 	(3) for gross sales of $50,001 to $100,000, the annual permit fee is $300;
72.30 	(4) for gross sales of $100,001 to $250,000, the annual permit fee is $750;
72.31 	(5) for gross sales of $250,001 to $500,000, the annual permit fee is $1,500;
73.1 	(6) for gross sales of $500,001 to $1,000,000, the annual permit fee is $3,000; and
73.2 	(7) for gross sales of $1,000,001 and above, the annual permit fee is $4,500.
73.3 	(d) The application for a seed permit covered by section 21.89, subdivision 2, clause 
73.4 	(3), must be accompanied by an application fee of $75. Labelers holding seed fee permits 
73.5 	covered under this paragraph need not apply for a new permit or pay the application fee. 
73.6 	Under this permit category, the fees for the following kinds of agricultural seed sold either 
73.7 	in bulk or containers are:
73.8 	(1) oats, wheat, and barley, 9 cents per hundredweight;
73.9 	(2) rye, field beans, buckwheat, and flax, 12 cents per hundredweight;
73.10 	(3) field corn, 17 cents per 80,000 seed unit;
73.11 	(4) forage, hemp, lawn and turf grasses, and legumes, 69 cents per hundredweight;
73.12 	(5) sunflower, $1.96 per hundredweight;
73.13 	(6) sugar beet, 12 cents per 100,000 seed unit;
73.14 	(7) soybeans, 7.5 cents per 140,000 seed unit;
73.15 	(8) for any agricultural seed not listed in clauses (1) to (7), the fee for the crop most 
73.16 	closely resembling it in normal planting rate applies; and
73.17 	(9) for native grasses and wildflower seed, $1 per hundredweight.
73.18 	(e) If, for reasons beyond the control and knowledge of the labeler, seed is shipped into 
73.19 	Minnesota by a person other than the labeler, the responsibility for the seed fees are 
73.20 	transferred to the shipper. An application for a transfer of this responsibility must be made 
73.21 	to the commissioner. Upon approval by the commissioner of the transfer, the shipper is 
73.22 	responsible for payment of the seed permit fees.
73.23 	(f) Seed permit fees may be included in the cost of the seed either as a hidden cost or as 
73.24 	a line item cost on each invoice for seed sold. To identify the fee on an invoice, the words 
73.25 	"Minnesota seed permit fees" must be used.
73.26 	(g) All seed fee permit holders must file semiannual reports with the commissioner, 
73.27 	even if no seed was sold during the reporting period. Each semiannual report must be 
73.28 	submitted within 30 days of the end of each reporting period. The reporting periods are 
73.29 	October 1 to March 31 and April 1 to September 30 of each year or July 1 to December 31 
73.30 	and January 1 to June 30 of each year must be determined by the commissioner and 
74.1 	communicated annually to permit holders. Permit holders may change their reporting periods 
74.2 	with the approval of the commissioner.
74.3 	(h) The holder of a seed fee permit must pay fees on all seed for which the permit holder 
74.4 	is the labeler and which are covered by sections 21.80 to 21.92 and sold during the reporting 
74.5 	period.
74.6 	(i) If a seed fee permit holder fails to submit a semiannual report and pay the seed fee 
74.7 	within 30 days after the end of each reporting period, the commissioner shall assess a penalty 
74.8 	of $100 or eight percent, calculated on an annual basis, of the fee due, whichever is greater, 
74.9 	but no more than $500 for each late semiannual report. A $15 penalty must be charged when 
74.10 	the semiannual report is late, even if no fee is due for the reporting period. Seed fee permits 
74.11 	may be revoked for failure to comply with the applicable provisions of this paragraph or 
74.12 	the Minnesota seed law.

74.13 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 28A.04, subdivision 1, is amended 
74.14 	to read:
74.15 		Subdivision 1.Application; date of issuance. (a) Except as provided under section 
74.16 	28A.152, no person shall may engage in the business of manufacturing, processing, selling, 
74.17 	handling, or storing food without having first obtained from the commissioner a license for 
74.18 	doing such business. Applications for such license shall must be made to the commissioner 
74.19 	in such manner and time as required and upon such forms as provided by the commissioner 
74.20 	and shall must contain the name and address of the applicant, address or description of each 
74.21 	place of business, and the nature of the business to be conducted at each place, and such 
74.22 	other pertinent information as the commissioner may require.
74.23 	(b) An applicant for a license must submit a nonrefundable application fee of $50 with 
74.24 	each license application. The fee under this paragraph does not apply to annual license 
74.25 	renewals. The fee under this paragraph is not required for applications to operate solely as 
74.26 	a special event food stand or custom exempt food handler.
74.27 	(c) A food handler license shall must be issued for the period January 1 to December 
74.28 	31 and shall must be renewed thereafter by the licensee on or before January 1 of each year, 
74.29 	except that:
74.30 	(1) retail and wholesale food handler licenses issued for the period of July 1, 2025, to 
74.31 	June 30, 2026, must be renewed on or before July 1, 2026, for the period of July 1, 2026, 
74.32 	to December 31, 2026. The renewal fee for the period of July 1, 2026, to December 31, 
74.33 	2026, is one-half of the fee for a food handler specified in section 28A.08, subdivision 3;
75.1 	(2) licenses for all mobile food concession units and retail mobile units must be issued 
75.2 	for the period April 1 to March 31, and must be renewed thereafter by the licensee on or 
75.3 	before April 1 of each year. A license issued for a temporary food concession stand must 
75.4 	have a license issuance and renewal date consistent with appropriate statutory provisions; 
75.5 	and
75.6 	(3) a license for a food handler operating only at the State Fair must be issued for the 
75.7 	period of July 1 to June 30 and must be renewed thereafter by the licensee on or before July 
75.8 	1 of each year.
75.9 	(d) A penalty for late renewal under paragraph (b) (c) must be assessed in accordance 
75.10 	with section 28A.08.
75.11 	(e) A custom exempt food handler license shall must be issued for the period July 1 to 
75.12 	June 30 and must be renewed thereafter by the licensee on or before July 1 each year. The 
75.13 	custom exempt food handler license is for businesses that only conduct custom exempt 
75.14 	operations and mark all products as "Not For Sale." Food handlers that conduct retail exempt 
75.15 	operations or other operations other than custom exempt processing or slaughter are not 
75.16 	eligible for this license.
75.17 	(f) On a quarterly basis during the licensing period, the commissioner must prorate the 
75.18 	fee for an initial license issued under this chapter, except that:
75.19 	(1) a person applying for a new license up to 14 calendar days before the effective date 
75.20 	of the new license period under paragraph (c) must be issued a license for the 14 days and 
75.21 	the next license year as a single license and pay a single license fee as if the 14 days were 
75.22 	part of the upcoming license period.; and
75.23 	(2) a person applying for a license to operate as a special event food stand must pay the 
75.24 	entire fee specified in section 28A.08, subdivision 3, regardless of when the application is 
75.25 	filed.

75.26 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 28A.0752, is amended to read:
75.27 	28A.0752 DELEGATION OF POWERS AND DUTIES.
75.28 		Subdivision 1.Agreements to perform duties of commissioner. (a) The commissioner 
75.29 	may enter into agreements to delegate licensing and inspection duties of the commissioner 
75.30 	to community health boards pertaining to retail food handlers shall whose primary mode 
75.31 	of business is to sell or to process and sell food directly to the ultimate consumer. An 
75.32 	agreement under this section may include duties of licensing, inspection, reporting, and 
75.33 	enforcement duties authorized under sections this chapter and chapters 29 and 30; section
76.1 	17.04, 29.21, 29.23, 29.235, 29.236, 29.237, 29.24, 29.25, 29.26, 29.27, and 30.49,;
76.2 	appropriate sections of the Minnesota Food Law, chapters 31 and 34A,; and applicable 
76.3 	Minnesota food rules.
76.4 	(b) Agreements under this section are subject to subdivision 3.
76.5 	(c) This subdivision does not affect agreements entered into under section 28A.075 or 
76.6 	current cooperative agreements which base inspections and licensing responsibility on the 
76.7 	firm's most predominant mode of business. The commissioner must not delegate duties 
76.8 	under this section pertaining to custom exempt food handlers and food handlers inspected 
76.9 	under the state meat inspection program under chapter 31A.
76.10 	(d) The commissioner must not delegate duties under this section pertaining to food 
76.11 	handlers whose principal mode of business is to sell food to other business entities or 
76.12 	establishments for resale.
76.13 	(e) The commissioner must not delegate duties under this section pertaining to food 
76.14 	handlers who conduct activities regulated under Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, part 
76.15 	111; 112; 113; 114; 117, subpart C; 120; or 123.
76.16 		Subd. 2.Approval of agreements. (a) An agreement under this section to delegate 
76.17 	licensing and inspection of retail food handlers duties to a community health board must 
76.18 	be approved by the commissioner and is subject to subdivision 3.
76.19 	(b) An agreement to delegate the commissioner's duties to a designated agent established 
76.20 	before January 1, 2025, remains in effect if the designated agent's performance continues 
76.21 	to meet the standards necessary to substitute for the commissioner's duties and complies 
76.22 	with the requirements of subdivisions 1 and 3.
76.23 		Subd. 3.Terms of agreements. (a) Agreements authorized under this section must be 
76.24 	in writing and signed by the delegating authority commissioner and the designated agent.
76.25 	(b) The An agreement under this section must list criteria that the delegating authority
76.26 	commissioner will use to determine if the designated agent's performance meets appropriate 
76.27 	standards and is sufficient to replace performance by the delegating authority commissioner.
76.28 	(c) The An agreement under this section may specify minimum staff requirements and 
76.29 	qualifications, set procedures for the assessment of costs, and provide for termination 
76.30 	procedures if the delegating authority commissioner determines that the designated agent 
76.31 	has failed to comply with the agreement.
76.32 	(d) A designated agent must operate according to the requirements of section 28A.06.
77.1 	(e) By December 31, 2028, a designated agent that entered into an agreement to delegate 
77.2 	the commissioner's duties to the designated agent before January 1, 2025, must comply with 
77.3 	section 28A.06.
77.4 	(d) (f) The delegating authority commissioner and the designated agent are required to 
77.5 	perform inspections utilizing the Minnesota Food Code's minimum and maximum standards.
77.6 	(e) (g) A designated agent must not perform licensing, inspection, reporting, or 
77.7 	enforcement duties under the an agreement under this section in a territory outside its 
77.8 	jurisdiction unless approved by the commissioner and governing body for that territory 
77.9 	through a separate agreement.
77.10 	(h) A designated agent may charge a fee to recover the estimated costs of performing 
77.11 	duties according to terms of an agreement under this section if the duties involve enforcing 
77.12 	the Minnesota Food Law and applicable Minnesota food rules. The fee charged by the 
77.13 	designated agent must be fair, reasonable, and proportionate to the actual cost of the duties 
77.14 	performed by the designated agent. A designated agent must only use a fee under this 
77.15 	paragraph to cover the costs of performing duties according to terms of the agreement under 
77.16 	this section.
77.17 	(f) (i) The scope of agreements established under this section is limited to duties and 
77.18 	responsibilities agreed upon by the parties. The agreement may provide for automatic 
77.19 	renewal and for notice of intent to terminate by either party.
77.20 	(g) (j) During the life of the an agreement under this section, the delegating authority 
77.21 	shall commissioner must not perform duties that the designated agent is required to perform 
77.22 	under the agreement, except inspections necessary to determine compliance with the 
77.23 	agreement and this section or as agreed to by the parties.
77.24 	(h) (k) The delegating authority shall commissioner must consult with, advise, and assist 
77.25 	a designated agent in the performance of its duties under the agreement.
77.26 	(i) (l) This section does not alter the responsibility of the delegating authority
77.27 	commissioner for the performance of duties specified by law and rule.

77.28 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 28A.08, subdivision 3, is amended 
77.29 	to read:
77.30 		Subd. 3.Fees effective August 1, 2025.
 
77.31						Penalties
	
77.3277.33		Type of food handler
		Risk 
Category
	License 
Fee
	Late 
Renewal
	No
License
	
78.1	1.
	Custom exempt food handler

78.2
78.3
78.4		(a) Having  $50,000 or less gross sales or 
service for the immediately previous 
license or fiscal year
			$135
	$45
	$90
	
78.5
78.6
78.7		(b) Having $50,001 to  $125,000 gross sales 
or service for the immediately previous 
license or fiscal year
			$200
	$67
	$133
	
78.8
78.978.10
		(c) Having  $125,001 to  $500,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$370
	$123
	$247
	
78.11
78.12
78.13		(d)  Having  $500,001 to  $1,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$475
	$158
	$317
	
78.14
78.15
78.16		(e) Having  $1,000,001 to  $5,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$1,350
	$450
	$900
	
78.17
78.18
78.19		(f) Having $5,000,001 to $10,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$1,750
	$583
	$1,167
	
78.20
78.21
78.22		(g) Having $10,000,001 to $15,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$2,150
	$717
	$1,433
	
78.23
78.24
78.25		(h) Having $15,000,001 to $20,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$2,550
	$849
	$1,700
	
78.26
78.27
78.28		(i) Having $20,000,001 to $25,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$2,950
	$984
	$1,967
	
78.29
78.30
78.31		(j) Having over $25,000,001 gross sales or 
service for the immediately previous 
license or fiscal year
			$3,350
	$1,117
	$2,233
	
78.32	2.
	Food handler
						
78.33
78.34
78.35
78.36
78.37		(a) Having gross sales of only prepackaged 
nonperishable food of less than $30,000 
for the immediately previous license or 
fiscal year and filing a statement with the 
commissioner
			$90
	$30
	$60
	
78.38
78.39
78.40		(b) Having gross sales or service of less 
than  $50,000 for the immediately previous 
license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$285
$195
$135
	$95
$65
$45
	$190
$130
$90
	
78.41
78.42
78.43		(c) Having  $50,001 to  $125,000 gross sales 
or service for the immediately previous 
license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$350
$260
$200
	$117
$87
$67
	$233
$173
$133
	
78.44
78.45
78.46		(d) Having  $125,001 to  $250,000 gross 
sales or service  for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$415
$350
$265
	$138
$117
$88
	$277
$233
$177
	
78.47
78.48
78.49		(e) Having $250,001 to  $500,000 gross 
sales or service  for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$520
$430
$370
	$173
$143
$123
	$347
$287
$247
	
79.1
79.2
79.3		(f) Having  $500,001 to  $1,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$625
$535
$475
	$208
$178
$158
	$417
$357
$317
	
79.4
79.5
79.6		(g) Having  $1,000,001 to  $5,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$1,500
$1,425
$1,350
	$500
$475
$450
	$1,000
$950
$900
	
79.7
79.8
79.9		(h) Having $5,000,001 to $10,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$1,900
$1,825
$1,750
	$633
$608
$583
	$1,267
$1,217
$1,167
	
79.10
79.11
79.12		(i) Having $10,000,001 to $15,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$2,300
$2,225
$2,150
	$767
$742
$717
	$1,533
$1,483
$1,433
	
79.13
79.14
79.15		(j) Having $15,000,001 to $20,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$2,700
$2,625
$2,550
	$900
$875
$849
	$1,800
$1,750
$1,700
	
79.16
79.17
79.18		(k) Having $20,000,001 to $25,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$3,100
$3,025
$2,950
	$1,033
$1,008
$984
	$2,067
$2,017
$1,967
	
79.19
79.20
79.21		(l) Having  $25,000,001  to $50,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$3,500
$3,425
$3,350
	$1,167
$1,142
$1,117
	$2,333
$2,283
$2,233
	
79.22
79.23
79.24		(m) Having $50,000,001 to $100,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$4,000
$3,925
$3,850
	$1,334
$1,309
$1,284
	$2,667
$2,617
$2,567
	
79.25
79.26
79.27		(n) Having $100,000,001 or more gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
		High
Medium
Low
	$4,500
$4,425
$4,350
	$1,500
$1,475
$1,450
	$3,000
$2,950
$2,900
	
79.2879.29
79.30
79.31	3.
	Food handler operating under authority of 
this chapter solely as a special event food 
stand as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 
section 157.15
			$75
	$25
	$50
	
79.3279.33
79.34	4.
	Meat or poultry  processing solely under 
supervision of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture
						
79.35
79.36
79.37		(a) Having gross sales or service of less 
than $125,000 for the immediately previous 
license or fiscal year
			$190
	$63
	$127
	
79.38
79.39
79.40		(b) Having $125,001 to $250,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$365
	$122
	$243
	
79.41
79.42
79.43		(c) Having $250,001 to  $500,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$450
	$150
	$300
	
79.44
79.45
79.46		(d) Having $500,001 to $1,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$565
	$188
	$377
	
79.47
79.48
79.49		(e) Having $1,000,001 to $5,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$725
	$241
	$483
	
80.1
80.2
80.3		(f) Having $5,000,001 to $10,000,000 gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$885
	$295
	$590
	
80.4
80.5
80.6		(g) Having $10,000,001 to $15,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$1,305
	$435
	$807
	
80.7
80.8
80.9		(h) Having $15,000,001 to $20,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$1,515
	$505
	$1,010
	
80.10
80.11
80.12		(i) Having $20,000,001 to $25,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$1,745
	$582
	$1,163
	
80.13
80.14
80.15		(j) Having $25,000,001 to $50,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$1,975
	$658
	$1,317
	
80.16
80.17
80.18		(k) Having $50,000,001 to $100,000,000 
gross sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$2,215
	$738
	$1,477
	
80.19
80.20
80.21		(l) Having $100,000,001 or more gross 
sales or service for the immediately 
previous license or fiscal year
			$2,465
	$822
	$1,643

80.22 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 29.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
80.23 	read:
80.24 		Subd. 12.Quality assurance date. "Quality assurance date" means any date after which 
80.25 	the manufacturer or processor reasonably determines that the product may, by spoilage, 
80.26 	wiltage, drying, or any other foreseeable and natural phenomenon, lose palatability or desired 
80.27 	or nutritive properties.

80.28 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 29.26, is amended to read:
80.29 	29.26 EGGS IN POSSESSION OF RETAILER.
80.30 	(a) All eggs sold or offered for sale at retail must have been candled and graded and 
80.31 	must be clearly labeled according to Minnesota consumer grades as established by rule 
80.32 	under section 29.23. No eggs shall be sold or offered for sale as "ungraded," "unclassified," 
80.33 	or by any other name that does not clearly designate the grade. All eggs in possession of 
80.34 	the retailer, either in temporary storage or on display, must be held at a temperature not to 
80.35 	exceed 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius).
80.36 	(b) Grade AA eggs held 31 days past the coded pack date for Grade AA eggs, or Grade 
80.37 	A eggs held 46 days past the coded pack date for Grade A eggs, lose their grades and must 
80.38 	be removed from sale., except eggs that are past their quality assurance date may be donated 
80.39 	to and distributed by charitable food assistance programs if the eggs:
81.1 	(1) are contained in their original packaging;
81.2 	(2) have previously been candled and graded;
81.3 	(3) are continuously refrigerated;
81.4 	(4) are distributed to the end consumer prior to 30 days past the original quality assurance 
81.5 	date; and
81.6 	(5) are contained in packaging affixed with a label that includes the following information:
81.7 	(i) the name of the charitable food assistance program distributing the eggs;
81.8 	(ii) a "distribute by" date of no more than 30 days past the original quality assurance 
81.9 	date; and
81.10 	(iii) the following statement: "Donated Eggs - Not for Resale."

81.11 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 32D.30, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
81.12 		Subd. 5.Reporting. No later than July 1 September 15 of  each even-numbered year, 
81.13 	the commissioner must submit a detailed accomplishment report and work plan detailing 
81.14 	future plans for, and the actual and anticipated accomplishments from, expenditures under 
81.15 	this section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and 
81.16 	divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and finance. If the commissioner 
81.17 	significantly modifies a submitted work plan during the fiscal year, the commissioner must 
81.18 	notify the chairs and ranking minority members.

81.19 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41A.19, is amended to read:
81.20 	41A.19 REPORT; INCENTIVE PROGRAMS.
81.21 	By January 15 Each year, the commissioner shall report on the incentive programs under 
81.22 	sections 41A.16, 41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20 to the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
81.23 	over environment and agriculture policy and finance in the report under section 41A.12, 
81.24 	subdivision 3. The report shall include information on production and incentive expenditures 
81.25 	under the programs.

81.26 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41B.048, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
81.27 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The authority shall establish and implement an agroforestry 
81.28 	loan program to help finance the production of short rotation woody crops, agroforestry 
81.29 	crops, agroforestry systems, such as silvopasture and alley systems, and other systems.

82.1 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41B.048, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
82.2 		Subd. 4.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
82.3 	(b) "Agroforestry" has the meaning given in section 17.458, subdivision 1.
82.4 	(c) "Agroforestry system" means an agricultural production system that integrates trees, 
82.5 	shrubs, or other woody perennial species or animals into the system, with the intention to 
82.6 	harvest wood, food, feed, medicinal products, or other products from the system.
82.7 	(b)(d) "Growing cycle" means the number of years from planting to harvest.
82.8 	(c)(e) "Harvest" means the day that the crop arrives at the scale of the buyer of the crop.
82.9 	(d)(f) "Short rotation woody crops" or "crop" means hybrid poplar and other woody 
82.10 	plants that are harvested for their fiber within 15 years of planting.

82.11 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41B.048, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
82.12 		Subd. 5.Eligibility for growers of short rotation woody crops. To be eligible for this 
82.13 	program, a borrower must:
82.14 	(1) be a resident of Minnesota or any entity eligible to own farm land under section 
82.15 	500.24;
82.16 	(2) be or plan to become a grower of short rotation woody crops on agricultural land 
82.17 	that is suitable for the profitable production of short rotation woody crops;
82.18 	(3) be a member of a producer-owned cooperative that will contract to market the short 
82.19 	rotation woody crop to be planted by the borrower;
82.20 	(4) demonstrate an ability to repay the loan;
82.21 	(5) not receive assistance under this program for more than $150,000 in the producer's 
82.22 	lifetime;
82.23 	(6) agree to work with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, and the marketing 
82.24 	cooperative, to develop an acceptable establishment and maintenance plan;
82.25 	(7) agree not to plant short-rotation woody crops within one-quarter of a mile of state 
82.26 	or federally protected prairie; and
82.27 	(8) meet any other requirements the authority may impose by administrative procedure 
82.28 	or by rule.

83.1 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41B.048, is amended by adding a subdivision 
83.2 	to read:
83.3 		Subd. 5a.Eligibility for agroforestry systems and practices. To be eligible for this 
83.4 	program, a borrower must:
83.5 	(1) be a resident of Minnesota or any entity eligible to own farm land under section 
83.6 	500.24;
83.7 	(2) be a farmer or agricultural landowner implementing: (i) the use of an agroforestry 
83.8 	system, such as a silvopasture or an alley system, on agricultural land; or (ii) the use of 
83.9 	agroforestry practices, such as biochar processing, on agricultural land;
83.10 	(3) demonstrate an ability to repay the loan;
83.11 	(4) not receive assistance under this program for more than $150,000 in the producer's 
83.12 	lifetime; and
83.13 	(5) meet any other requirements the authority may impose by administrative procedure 
83.14 	or by rule.

83.15 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41B.048, is amended by adding a subdivision 
83.16 	to read:
83.17 		Subd. 6a.Loans for agroforestry systems and practices. (a) The authority may 
83.18 	participate with eligible lenders in agroforestry loans to farmers and agricultural landowners 
83.19 	who are eligible under subdivision 5a. The authority's participation is limited to 45 percent 
83.20 	or $75,000 of total accumulative principal per loan.
83.21 	(b) The interest rates and repayment terms of the authority's participation interest may 
83.22 	differ from those of the lender's retained portion of the loan.
83.23 	(c) Standards for loan amortization must be set by the Rural Finance Authority and must 
83.24 	not exceed ten years.
83.25 	(d) Security for the loan must be a personal note executed by the borrower and whatever 
83.26 	other security is required by the eligible lender or the authority.
83.27 	(e) The authority may prescribe forms and establish an application process for applicants 
83.28 	to apply for a loan.
83.29 	(f) The authority may impose a reasonable, nonrefundable application fee for each 
83.30 	application for an agroforestry loan under this program. The authority may review the fee 
83.31 	annually and make adjustments as necessary. The initial application fee is $50. Application 
84.1 	fees received by the authority must be deposited in the Rural Finance Authority administrative 
84.2 	account established in section 41B.03.
84.3 	(g) Loans under this program must be made using money in the revolving loan account 
84.4 	established in section 41B.06.
84.5 	(h) All repayments of financial assistance granted under this section, including principal 
84.6 	and interest, must be deposited into the revolving loan account established under section 
84.7 	41B.06.
84.8 	(i) The interest payable on loans for the agroforestry loan program must be at a rate 
84.9 	determined by the authority.

84.10 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 583.215, is amended to read:
84.11 	583.215 EXPIRATION.
84.12 	Sections 336.9-601, subsections (h) and (i); 550.365; 559.209; 582.039; and 583.20 to 
84.13 	583.32, expire June 30, 2027 2032.

84.14 	Sec. 47. REPORT; PARAQUAT DICHLORIDE.
 84.15 	By February 1, 2029, the commissioner of agriculture must report to the chairs and 
84.16 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture 
84.17 	finance and policy on the use of paraquat dichloride in the state over time and the status of 
84.18 	paraquat dichloride in the pesticide supply chain.

84.19 	Sec. 48. REPEALER.
 84.20 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 18K.02, subdivision 7; 18K.03, subdivision 2; and 
84.21 	28A.075, are repealed.

	ARTICLE 1	AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS........	Page.Ln 1.20	
	ARTICLE 2	AGRICULTURE POLICY........	Page.Ln 42.1	

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S5073-1 

18K.02 DEFINITIONS.Subd. 7.Processor. 
"Processor" means a person or business that converts raw hemp into a product. 

18K.03 AGRICULTURAL CROP; POSSESSION AUTHORIZED.Subd. 2.Sale to medical cannabis manufacturers. 
A licensee under this chapter may sell hemp products derived from industrial hemp grown in this state to medical cannabis manufacturers as authorized under sections 152.22 to 152.37. 

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.