1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money for down payment assistance grants.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS; DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS.
 1.5 	$750,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $750,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the 
1.6 	general fund to the commissioner of agriculture to award down payment assistance grants 
1.7 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.133. Of the amount appropriated each year, at least 
1.8 	$375,000 is for down payment assistance grants to emerging farmers. If the commissioner 
1.9 	has not awarded $375,000 to emerging farmers by March 1 each year, the commissioner 
1.10 	may award remaining funds to any eligible farmer. For purposes of this section, "emerging 
1.11 	farmer" means farmers who are American Indian or Alaskan Natives, Black or African 
1.12 	American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, members of a community of color, 
1.13 	women, veterans, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, or any other emerging farmers as 
1.14 	determined by the commissioner.