HF 2142

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/27/2023 05:16pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a program to provide grants to prevent
wolf-livestock conflict; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin WOLF-LIVESTOCK CONFLICT PREVENTION PROGRAM.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of agriculture may award grants to livestock producers to prevent
wolf-livestock conflicts. Livestock producers located in Minnesota are eligible to apply for
reimbursement for the cost of practices to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts. The commissioner
may establish a cap on the amount of grant money that a recipient is eligible to receive
annually.
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new text begin (b) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a livestock producer must raise livestock
within Minnesota's wolf range or on property determined by the commissioner to be affected
by wolf-livestock conflicts.
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new text begin (c) A grant applicant must document a cost-share of 20 percent for activities covered
by a grant under this program. A grant applicant's cost-share amount may be reduced up to
$2,000 to cover the time and labor costs of wolf-livestock conflict prevention activities.
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new text begin (d) Eligible wolf-livestock conflict prevention activities include but are not limited to:
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new text begin (1) the purchase of guard animals;
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new text begin (2) payment of veterinary costs for guard animals;
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new text begin (3) the installation of wolf barriers, which may include pens, fladry, and fencing necessary
to protect livestock;
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new text begin (4) the installation of wolf-deterring lights and alarms; and
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new text begin (5) the installation of calving or lambing shelters.
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new text begin (e) Eligible grant recipients must:
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new text begin (1) make a good faith effort to avoid wolf-livestock conflicts;
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new text begin (2) make a good faith effort to care for guard animals paid for under this section;
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new text begin (3) retain proper documentation of expenses;
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new text begin (4) report annually to the commissioner on the effectiveness of the nonlethal methods
employed; and
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new text begin (5) allow follow-up evaluations and monitoring by the commissioner.
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new text begin (f) Grant recipients shall continue to be eligible for depredation payments under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $225,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $225,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for wolf-livestock conflict prevention grants
under section 1.
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