HF 2446

1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 04/10/2025 04:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a budget for the Department of
Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research
Institute, and the Office of Broadband Development; making policy and technical
changes to agricultural provisions; requiring reports; transferring money;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 17.133,
subdivision 2; 18B.01, subdivision 1d, by adding a subdivision; 18B.30; Laws
2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4, as amended; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 18C.

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

ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text begin AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2026 new text end		new text begin 2027 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 61,342,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 58,358,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2026 new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 60,943,000 new text end	new text begin 57,959,000 new text end
new text begin Remediation new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14,
unless otherwise specified in this section, the
commissioner of agriculture may use up to ten
percent of money appropriated for costs
incurred to administer the Department of
Agriculture's grant programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Protection Services new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 21,385,000 new text end	new text begin 21,538,000 new text end
new text begin Remediation new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $399,000 the first year and $399,000 the
second year are from the remediation fund for
administrative funding of the voluntary
cleanup program.
new text end

new text begin (b) $319,000 the first year and $319,000 the
second year are for the soil health financial
assistance program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.134. The commissioner may award
no more than $50,000 of the appropriation
each year to a single recipient.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may
use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
costs incurred to administer the program. Any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available in the
second year. Appropriations encumbered
under contract on or before June 30, 2027, for
soil health financial assistance grants are
available until June 30, 2029.
new text end

new text begin (c) $293,000 the first year and $293,000 the
second year are for compensation for livestock
destroyed or crippled by a wolf under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737. The first
year appropriation may be spent to compensate
for livestock that were destroyed or crippled
during fiscal year 2025. If the amount in the
first year is insufficient, the amount in the
second year is available in the first year. The
commissioner may use up to $5,000 each year
to reimburse expenses incurred by university
extension educators to provide fair market
values of destroyed or crippled livestock. If
the commissioner receives federal money to
pay claims for destroyed or crippled livestock,
an equivalent amount of this appropriation
may be used to reimburse nonlethal prevention
methods performed by federal wildlife services
staff.
new text end

new text begin (d) $280,000 the first year and $280,000 the
second year are for compensation for crop or
fence damage caused by elk under Minnesota
Statutes, section 3.7371. If the amount in the
first year is insufficient, the amount in the
second year is available in the first year. The
commissioner may use up to $10,000 of the
appropriation each year to reimburse expenses
incurred by the commissioner or the
commissioner's approved agent to investigate
and resolve claims, as well as for costs
associated with training for approved agents.
The commissioner may use up to $40,000 of
the appropriation each year for grants to
producers for measures to protect stored crops
from elk damage. If the commissioner
determines that claims made under Minnesota
Statutes, section 3.737 or 3.7371, are
unusually high, amounts appropriated for
either program may be transferred to the
appropriation for the other program.
new text end

new text begin (e) $825,000 the first year and $825,000 the
second year are to replace capital equipment
in the Department of Agriculture's analytical
laboratory.
new text end

new text begin (f) $850,000 the first year and $850,000 the
second year are for additional meat and poultry
inspection services. The commissioner is
encouraged to seek inspection waivers, match
federal money, and offer more online
inspections for the purposes of this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (g) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the
second year are for grants to counties to
support county agricultural inspectors. The
commissioner may use up to three percent of
the appropriation each year for administration.
County agricultural inspectors and
county-designated employees must annually
submit an application, on a form approved by
the commissioner, to be eligible for funding
during a given year. The commissioner must
equally divide available grant money among
eligible counties. To be eligible for grants
under this section, a county must employ a
county agricultural inspector or a
county-designated employee who:
new text end

new text begin (1) has attended training for new county
agricultural inspectors offered by the
commissioner;
new text end

new text begin (2) coordinates with the commissioner to
review applicable laws and enforcement
procedures;
new text end

new text begin (3) compiles and submits to the commissioner
local weed inspector annual report data;
new text end

new text begin (4) conducts an annual meeting and training
for local weed inspectors; and
new text end

new text begin (5) assists the commissioner with control
programs and other agricultural programs
when requested under Minnesota Statutes,
section 18.81, subdivision 1b, as directed by
the county board.
new text end

new text begin (h) $609,000 the first year and $608,000 the
second year are appropriated to establish and
administer the biofertilizer innovation and
efficiency program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 18C.113. The commissioner may use
up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for costs
incurred to administer the program.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance at the end
of fiscal year 2026 does not cancel and is
available until June 30, 2027. The base for this
appropriation is $1,050,000 in fiscal year 2028
and each year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (i) $100,000 the first year is to conduct a study
with the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency, the commissioner of health, the
Metropolitan Council, a representative of a
major wastewater facility located outside the
seven-county metropolitan area, and a
technical panel of scientific experts on the
impact of biosolids contaminated with
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS) on farm families and consumers. The
study must include recommendations to the
legislature and be submitted to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture policy and finance by June 1,
2027. The commissioner may contract with
an independent third party to conduct the
study.
new text end

new text begin (j) $100,000 the first year is to conduct an
evaluation of the practice performance and
economic performance of the Olmsted County
groundwater protection and soil health
initiative, including the cover crop program,
alternative crops program, and haying,
grazing, and pasture enhancement program.
The evaluation must look at environmental
outcomes, include a cost-benefit analysis, and
be submitted to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture policy and finance by June 1,
2027. The commissioner may contract with
an independent third party to conduct the
evaluation.
new text end

new text begin (k) $150,000 the first year is to update and
modify the restricted use pesticide plan.
new text end

new text begin (l) $420,000 the first year and $924,000 the
second year are to support current services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Agricultural Marketing and Development new text end

new text begin 24,529,000 new text end

new text begin 24,526,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $634,000 the first year and $634,000 the
second year are for the continuation of the
dairy development and profitability
enhancement program, including dairy
profitability teams and dairy business planning
grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
32D.30.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may use funds
appropriated in this subdivision for annual
cost-share payments to resident farmers or
entities that sell, process, or package
agricultural products in this state for the costs
of organic certification. The commissioner
may allocate these funds for assistance to
persons transitioning from conventional to
organic agriculture.
new text end

new text begin (c) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are for mental health outreach and
support to farmers, ranchers, farm workers
and employees, and others in the agricultural
profession and for farm and farm worker
safety grant and outreach programs under
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.1195. Mental
health outreach and support may include a
24-hour hotline, stigma reduction, and
education. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered
balance does not cancel at the end of the first
year and is available in the second year.
new text end

new text begin (d) $19,935,000 the first year and $19,932,000
the second year are for the agricultural growth,
research, and innovation program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12.
new text end

new text begin (e) Except as provided in paragraph (f), the
commissioner may allocate the appropriation
in paragraph (d) each year among the
following areas: facilitating the start-up,
modernization, improvement, or expansion of
livestock operations, including beginning and
transitioning livestock operations with
preference given to robotic dairy-milking
equipment; assisting value-added agricultural
businesses to begin or expand, to access new
markets, or to diversify, including aquaponics
systems, with preference given to hemp fiber
processing equipment; facilitating the start-up,
modernization, or expansion of other
beginning and transitioning farms, including
by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture
on-farm research and demonstration; the
development or expansion of food hubs and
other alternative community-based food
distribution systems; enhancing renewable
energy infrastructure and use; crop research,
including basic and applied turf seed research;
Farm Business Management tuition assistance;
and good agricultural practices and good
handling practices certification assistance.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may
use up to 6.5 percent of the appropriation in
paragraph (d) for costs incurred to administer
the program.
new text end

new text begin (f) Of the amount appropriated for the
agricultural growth, research, and innovation
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.12:
new text end

new text begin (1) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for distribution in equal
amounts to each of the state's county fairs to
preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture;
new text end

new text begin (2) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000
the second year are for incentive payments
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16,
41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20. If this
appropriation exceeds the total amount for
which all producers are eligible in a fiscal
year, the balance of the appropriation is
available for other purposes under this
paragraph;
new text end

new text begin (3) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000
the second year are for grants that enable retail
petroleum dispensers, fuel storage tanks, and
other equipment to dispense biofuels to the
public in accordance with the biofuel
replacement goals established under
Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail
petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use
in spark ignition engines for vehicle model
years after 2000 is eligible for grant money
under this clause if the retail petroleum
dispenser has no more than 20 retail petroleum
dispensing sites and each site is located in
Minnesota. The grant money must be used to
replace or upgrade equipment that does not
have the ability to be certified for E25. A grant
award must not exceed 65 percent of the cost
of the appropriate technology. A grant award
must not exceed $200,000 per station. The
commissioner must cooperate with biofuel
stakeholders in the implementation of the grant
program. The commissioner, in cooperation
with any economic or community development
financial institution and any other entity with
which the commissioner contracts, must
submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure
financial assistance program by January 15
each year to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
policy and finance. The annual report must
include but not be limited to a summary of the
following metrics: (i) the number and types
of projects financed; (ii) the amount of dollars
leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the
geographic distribution of financed projects;
(iv) any market expansion associated with
upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics
of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the
program; and (vii) the number of grants to
minority-owned or female-owned businesses;
new text end

new text begin (4) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are for grants to facilitate the
start-up, modernization, or expansion of meat,
poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities. A
grant award under this clause must not exceed
$200,000;
new text end

new text begin (5) $2,294,000 the first year and $2,294,000
the second year are for providing more fruits,
vegetables, meat, poultry, grain, and dairy for
children in school and early childhood
education settings, including, at the
commissioner's discretion, providing grants
to reimburse schools and early childhood
education and child care providers for
purchasing equipment and agricultural
products. Of the amount appropriated,
$150,000 each year is for a statewide
coordinator of farm-to-institution strategy and
programming. The coordinator must consult
with relevant stakeholders and provide
technical assistance and training for
participating farmers and eligible grant
recipients;
new text end

new text begin (6) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000
the second year are for grants to facilitate the
development of urban agriculture, including
projects related to youth education, community
and economic development, value-added
processing, and vocational training;
new text end

new text begin (7) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for the good food access
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.1017;
new text end

new text begin (8) $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
second year are for cooperative development
grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.1016;
new text end

new text begin (9) $425,000 the first year and $425,000 the
second year are to award grants under the
AGRI works program. Agriculture-related
institutions and nonprofits may apply for
grants up to $20,000. Grantees must submit
their most recent tax documents and complete
an application in the form and manner
prescribed by the commissioner to be eligible
for grants under this appropriation. The base
for this clause is $366,000 in fiscal year 2028
and each year thereafter;
new text end

new text begin (10) $928,000 the first year and $925,000 the
second year are to award grants under the
AGRI support program. Agriculture-related
institutions and nonprofits may apply for
grants over $20,000 but not more than
$200,000. Grantees must submit their most
recent tax documents and complete an
application in the form and manner prescribed
by the commissioner to be eligible for grants
under this appropriation. If the commissioner
determines that application demand for AGRI
works or AGRI support are unusually high,
amounts appropriated for either program may
be transferred to the appropriation for the other
program. The base for this clause is $865,000
in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter;
and
new text end

new text begin (11) $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the
second year are for the protecting livestock
grant program for producers to support the
installation of measures to prevent the
transmission of avian influenza. For the
appropriation in this paragraph, a grant
applicant must document a cost-share of 20
percent. An applicant's cost-share amount may
be reduced up to $2,000 to cover time and
labor costs. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the
commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
this appropriation for administrative costs.
new text end

new text begin (g) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, the appropriation in paragraph
(d) does not cancel at the end of the second
year and is available until June 30, 2029.
Appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2029, for agricultural
growth, research, and innovation grants are
available until June 30, 2032.
new text end

new text begin (h) The base for the agricultural growth,
research, and innovation program is
$20,038,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year
thereafter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Administration and Financial Assistance new text end

new text begin 15,029,000 new text end

new text begin 11,895,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $474,000 the first year and $474,000 the
second year are for payments to county and
district agricultural societies and associations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02,
subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and
district agricultural societies and associations
must be disbursed no later than July 15 each
year. These payments are the amount of aid
from the state for an annual fair held in the
previous calendar year.
new text end

new text begin (b) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Agricultural Education and Leadership
Council for programs of the council under
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D.
new text end

new text begin (c) $1,050,000 the first year and $1,050,000
the second year are to award and administer
farm down payment assistance grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.133, with
priority given to eligible applicants with no
more than $100,000 in annual gross farm
product sales and eligible applicants who are
producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or one
or more of the following specialty crops as
defined by the United States Department of
Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop
block grant program: fruits and vegetables,
tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants,
culinary herbs and spices, horticulture crops,
floriculture crops, and nursery crops.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance at the end
of the first year does not cancel and is
available in the second year and appropriations
encumbered under contract by June 30, 2027,
are available until June 30, 2029. The base for
this appropriation is $1,400,000 in fiscal year
2028 and each year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (d) $850,000 the first year and $850,000 the
second year are for the purchase of milk for
distribution to Minnesota's food shelves and
other charitable organizations that are eligible
to receive food from the food banks. Milk
purchased with grant money must be acquired
from Minnesota milk processors and based on
low-cost bids. The milk must be allocated to
each Feeding America food bank serving
Minnesota according to the formula used in
the distribution of United States Department
of Agriculture commodities under The
Emergency Food Assistance Program. The
commissioner may enter into contracts or
agreements with food banks for shared funding
or reimbursement of the direct purchase of
milk. Each food bank that receives funding
under this paragraph may use up to two
percent for administrative expenses.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance the first
year does not cancel and is available the
second year.
new text end

new text begin (e) $260,000 the first year and $260,000 the
second year are for a pass-through grant to
Region Five Development Commission to
provide, in collaboration with Farm Business
Management, statewide mental health
counseling support to Minnesota farm
operators, families, and employees, and
individuals who work with Minnesota farmers
in a professional capacity. Region Five
Development Commission may use up to 6.5
percent of the grant awarded under this
paragraph for administration.
new text end

new text begin (f) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are to expand the Emerging
Farmers Office and provide services to
beginning and emerging farmers to increase
connections between farmers and market
opportunities throughout the state. This
appropriation may be used for grants,
translation services, training programs, or
other purposes in line with the
recommendations of the emerging farmer
working group established under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.055, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin (g) $137,000 the first year and $203,000 the
second year are to support current services.
new text end

new text begin (h) $337,000 the first year and $337,000 the
second year are for farm advocate services.
Of these amounts, $50,000 the first year and
$50,000 the second year are for the
continuation of the farmland transition
programs and may be used for grants to
farmland access teams to provide technical
assistance to potential beginning farmers.
Farmland access teams must assist existing
farmers and beginning farmers with
transitioning farm ownership and farm
operation. Services provided by teams may
include but are not limited to mediation
assistance, designing contracts, financial
planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and
housing assistance.
new text end

new text begin (i) $3,100,000 the first year is for a grant to
First District Association for a wastewater
treatment project.
new text end

new text begin (j) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are to award grants to eligible
applicants for participation in the local food
purchasing assistance grant program. Selected
applicants must use grant money to procure
and distribute food to communities. Eligible
applicants include but are not limited to
individuals, nonprofit organizations, for-profit
businesses, Tribal governments, government
entities, agricultural cooperatives, economic
development organizations, and educational
institutions. When awarding grants, the
commissioner must give preference to
applicants that:
new text end

new text begin (1) source 100 percent of food from
Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) source at least 70 percent of food from
farmers who are experiencing limited land
access or limited market access as defined in
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.133,
subdivision 1; and
new text end

new text begin (3) distribute food at no cost to communities
that have low supermarket access in
census-designated food deserts or low- or
moderate-income areas with substantial
subpopulations, such as the aging population
or people with disabilities.
new text end

new text begin (k) $100,000 the first year is to be awarded as
a grant to an entity that is not a for-profit entity
to conduct a study of market and workforce
factors that may contribute to the incorrect
marking for the installation of underground
telecommunications infrastructure that is
located within ten feet of existing underground
utilities or that crosses the existing
underground utilities. The study must include
recommendations to the legislature and be
submitted to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
policy and finance by June 1, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (l) The commissioner shall continue to
increase connections with ethnic minority and
immigrant farmers to farming opportunities
and farming programs throughout the state.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 6,767,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 6,767,000 new text end

new text begin $357,000 the first year and $357,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 4,388,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 4,434,000 new text end

new text begin $45,000 the first year and $91,000 the second
year are to maintain the current level of service
delivery.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin TRANSFERS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is transferred from the general fund to the agricultural
emergency account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.041.
new text end

new text begin (b) Of the amount transferred to the agricultural emergency account under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.041, up to $2,000,000 may be used for the following purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) to test milk, milk products, poultry products, and pet food before retail sale for the
presence of avian influenza;
new text end

new text begin (2) to transfer funds to the commissioner of health for biomonitoring for the presence
of avian influenza for agricultural workers, farm workers, and poultry or livestock processing
employees that volunteer to participate; and
new text end

new text begin (3) to transfer funds to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop
rapid testing, quantification, and human exposure risk assessment models for avian influenza
in urban wastewater and drinking water treatment processes and public and private wells.
new text end

new text begin Prior to utilizing or transferring money under this paragraph, the commissioner must
communicate the intended usage and the estimated amount of the money to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
new text end

new text begin (c) $153,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $100,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred from
the general fund to the pollinator research account established under Minnesota Statutes,
section 18B.051. This transfer is $100,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (d) $186,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $186,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred from
the general fund to the Minnesota grown account and may be used as grants for Minnesota
grown promotion under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.102. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered under contract on or before June
30, 2027, for Minnesota grown grants in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2029.
This transfer is $186,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (e) $10,699,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $10,352,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred
from the general fund to the agriculture research, education, extension, and technology
transfer account under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14, subdivision 3, and the
commissioner shall transfer funds each year to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clauses (1)
and (2), and must supplement and not supplant existing sources and levels of funding. The
commissioner may use up to one percent of this transfer for costs incurred to administer
this program.
new text end

new text begin (f) Of the amount transferred for the agriculture research, education, extension, and
technology transfer grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14:
new text end

new text begin (1) $600,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $600,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for the Minnesota
Agricultural Experiment Station's agriculture rapid response fund under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clause (2);
new text end

new text begin (2) up to $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and up to $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for
research on avian influenza, salmonella, and other turkey-related diseases and disease
prevention measures;
new text end

new text begin (3) $2,250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,250,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for grants to
the Minnesota Agricultural Educational Leadership Council to enhance agricultural education
with priority given to Farm Business Management challenge grants. The transfer is
$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter;
new text end

new text begin (4) $350,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for potato research;
new text end

new text begin (5) $802,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $802,000 in fiscal year 2027 are to fund the Forever
Green Initiative and protect Minnesota's natural resources while increasing the efficiency,
profitability, and productivity of Minnesota farmers by incorporating perennial and winter
annual crops into existing agricultural practices. By February 1 each year, the dean of the
College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Sciences must submit a report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
agriculture finance and policy and higher education detailing uses of the money in this
paragraph, including administrative costs, and the achievements this money contributed to;
new text end

new text begin (6) $200,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for research on
natural stands of wild rice;
new text end

new text begin (7) $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for the cultivated
wild rice forward selection project at the North Central Research and Outreach Center,
including a tenure track or research associate plant scientist; and
new text end

new text begin (8) $347,000 in fiscal year 2026 is for the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for purposes of research on crop contamination and exposure to prions deposited
by animals infected with chronic wasting disease.
new text end

new text begin The transfer for the agricultural research, education, extension, and technology transfer
program is $11,373,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (g) $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred to the
Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to evaluate, propagate, and maintain the
genetic diversity of oilseeds, grains, grasses, legumes, and other plants, including flax,
timothy, barley, rye, triticale, alfalfa, orchard grass, clover, and other species and varieties
that were in commercial distribution and use in Minnesota prior to 1970, excluding wild
rice. This money must also be used to protect traditional seeds brought to Minnesota by
immigrant communities. This transfer includes funding for associated extension and outreach
to small farmers and farmers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This transfer
is $250,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (h) $1,425,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,425,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred
from the general fund to the agricultural and environmental revolving loan account
established under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117, subdivision 5a, for low-interest loans
under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117. This transfer is $1,425,000 in fiscal year 2028
and each year thereafter.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin CANCELLATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $3,000,000 of the appropriation in fiscal year 2024 from the general fund for green
fertilizer production facilities under Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 10, section 4, is canceled
to the general fund by June 30, 2025.
new text end

new text begin (b) $500,000 of the fiscal year 2025 general fund appropriation for the agricultural
growth, research, and innovation program under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12, that
was allocated for Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative (DAIRI) grants under Laws
2024, chapter 126, article 1, section 1, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), clause (6), is canceled
to the general fund by June 30, 2025.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws
2024, chapter 126, article 1, section 1, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Bioproduct Advancement

34,034,000

38,159,000

(a) $10,702,000 the first year and $10,702,000
the second year are for the agriculture
research, education, extension, and technology
transfer program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41A.14. Except as provided below,
the appropriation each year is for transfer to
the agriculture research, education, extension,
and technology transfer account under
Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14,
subdivision 3, and the commissioner shall
transfer funds each year to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota for
purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.14. To the extent practicable, money
expended under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.14, subdivision 1, clauses (1) and (2),
must supplement and not supplant existing
sources and levels of funding. The
commissioner may use up to one percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program.

Of the amount appropriated for the agriculture
research, education, extension, and technology
transfer grant program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 41A.14:

(1) $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the
second year are for the Minnesota Agricultural
Experiment Station's agriculture rapid
response fund under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clause (2);

(2) up to $1,000,000 the first year and up to
$1,000,000 the second year are for research
on avian influenza, salmonella, and other
turkey-related diseases and disease prevention
measures;

(3) $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000
the second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Agricultural Education Leadership Council to
enhance agricultural education with priority
given to Farm Business Management
challenge grants;

(4) $450,000 the first year is for the cultivated
wild rice breeding project at the North Central
Research and Outreach Center to include a
tenure track/research associate plant breeder;

(5) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are for potato breeding;

(6) $802,000 the first year and $802,000 the
second year are to fund the Forever Green
Initiative and protect the state's natural
resources while increasing the efficiency,
profitability, and productivity of Minnesota
farmers by incorporating perennial and
winter-annual crops into existing agricultural
practices. The base for the allocation under
this clause is $802,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
each year thereafter. By February 1 each year,
the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural
and Natural Resource Sciences must submit
a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance and policy
and higher education detailing uses of the
funds in this paragraph, including
administrative costs, and the achievements
these funds contributed to;

(7) $350,000 each year is for farm-scale winter
greenhouse research and development
coordinated by University of Minnesota
Extension Regional Sustainable Development
Partnerships. The allocation in this clause is
onetime;

(8) $200,000 the second year is for research
on natural stands of wild rice; and

(9) $250,000 the second year is for the
cultivated wild rice forward selection project
at the North Central Research and Outreach
Center, including a tenure track or research
associate plant scientist.

(b) The base for the agriculture research,
education, extension, and technology transfer
program is $10,352,000 in fiscal year 2026
and $10,352,000 in fiscal year 2027.

(c) $23,332,000 the first year is for the
agricultural growth, research, and innovation
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.12. Except as provided below, the
commissioner may allocate this appropriation
among the following areas: facilitating the
start-up, modernization, improvement, or
expansion of livestock operations, including
beginning and transitioning livestock
operations with preference given to robotic
dairy-milking equipment; assisting
value-added agricultural businesses to begin
or expand, to access new markets, or to
diversify, including aquaponics systems, with
preference given to hemp fiber processing
equipment; facilitating the start-up,
modernization, or expansion of other
beginning and transitioning farms, including
by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture
on-farm research and demonstration; the
development or expansion of food hubs and
other alternative community-based food
distribution systems; enhancing renewable
energy infrastructure and use; crop research,
including basic and applied turf seed research;
Farm Business Management tuition assistance;
and good agricultural practices and good
handling practices certification assistance. The
commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program.

Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural
growth, research, and innovation program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:

(1) $1,000,000 the first year is for distribution
in equal amounts to each of the state's county
fairs to preserve and promote Minnesota
agriculture;

(2) $5,750,000 the first year is for incentive
payments under Minnesota Statutes, sections
41A.16, 41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, the first year appropriation is
available until June 30, 2025. If this
appropriation exceeds the total amount for
which all producers are eligible in a fiscal
year, the balance of the appropriation is
available for other purposes under this
paragraph;

(3) $3,375,000 the first year is for grants that
enable retail petroleum dispensers, fuel storage
tanks, and other equipment to dispense
biofuels to the public in accordance with the
biofuel replacement goals established under
Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail
petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use
in spark ignition engines for vehicle model
years after 2000 is eligible for grant money
under this clause if the retail petroleum
dispenser has no more than 10 retail petroleum
dispensing sites and each site is located in
Minnesota. The grant money must be used to
replace or upgrade equipment that does not
have the ability to be certified for E25. A grant
award must not exceed 65 percent of the cost
of the appropriate technology. A grant award
must not exceed $200,000 per station. The
commissioner must cooperate with biofuel
stakeholders in the implementation of the grant
program. The commissioner, in cooperation
with any economic or community development
financial institution and any other entity with
which the commissioner contracts, must
submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure
financial assistance program by January 15 of
each year to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
policy and finance. The annual report must
include but not be limited to a summary of the
following metrics: (i) the number and types
of projects financed; (ii) the amount of dollars
leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the
geographic distribution of financed projects;
(iv) any market expansion associated with
upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics
of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the
program; and (vii) the number of grants to
minority-owned or female-owned businesses;

(4) $1,250,000 the first year is for grants to
facilitate the start-up, modernization, or
expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk
processing facilities. A grant award under this
clause must not exceed $200,000. Any
unencumbered balance at the end of the second
year does not cancel until June 30, 2026, and
may be used for other purposes under this
paragraph;

(5) $1,150,000 the first year is for providing
more fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain,
and dairy for children in school and early
childhood education settings, including, at the
commissioner's discretion, providing grants
to reimburse schools and early childhood
education and child care providers for
purchasing equipment and agricultural
products. Organizations must participate in
the National School Lunch Program or the
Child and Adult Care Food Program to be
eligible. Of the amount appropriated, $150,000
is for a statewide coordinator of
farm-to-institution strategy and programming.
The coordinator must consult with relevant
stakeholders and provide technical assistance
and training for participating farmers and
eligible grant recipients;

(6) $2,000,000 the first year is for urban youth
agricultural education or urban agriculture
community development;

(7) $1,000,000 the first year is for the good
food access program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.1017; and

(8) $225,000 the first year is to provide grants
to secondary career and technical education
programs for the purpose of offering
instruction in meat cutting and butchery.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may
use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
administrative costs. This is a onetime
appropriation. Grants may be used for costs,
including but not limited to:

(i) equipment required for a meat cutting
program;

(ii) facility renovation to accommodate meat
cutting; and

(iii) training faculty to teach the fundamentals
of meat processing.

A grant recipient may be awarded a grant of
up to $75,000 and may use up to ten percent
of the grant for faculty training. Priority may
be given to applicants who are coordinating
with meat cutting and butchery programs at
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
institutions or with local industry partners.

By January 15, 2025, the commissioner must
report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance and
education finance by listing the grants made
under this paragraph by county and noting the
number and amount of grant requests not
fulfilled. The report may include additional
information as determined by the
commissioner, including but not limited to
information regarding the outcomes produced
by these grants. If additional grants are
awarded under this paragraph that were not
covered in the report due by January 15, 2025,
the commissioner must submit an additional
report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance and
education finance regarding all grants issued
under this paragraph by November 1, 2025.

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available for the second year, and
appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2025, for agricultural
growth, research, and innovation grants are
available until June 30, 2028.

(d) $27,457,000 the second year is for the
agricultural growth, research, and innovation
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.12. Except as provided below, the
commissioner may allocate this appropriation
among the following areas: facilitating the
start-up, modernization, improvement, or
expansion of livestock operations, including
beginning and transitioning livestock
operations with preference given to robotic
dairy-milking equipment; assisting
value-added agricultural businesses to begin
or expand, to access new markets, or to
diversify, including aquaponics systems, with
preference given to hemp fiber processing
equipment; facilitating the start-up,
modernization, or expansion of other
beginning and transitioning farms, including
by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture
on-farm research and demonstration; the
development or expansion of food hubs and
other alternative community-based food
distribution systems; enhancing renewable
energy infrastructure and use; crop research,
including basic and applied turf seed research;
Farm Business Management tuition assistance;
and good agricultural practices and good
handling practices certification assistance. The
commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program.

Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural
growth, research, and innovation program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:

(1) $1,000,000 the second year is for
distribution in equal amounts to each of the
state's county fairs to preserve and promote
Minnesota agriculture;

(2) $5,750,000 the second year is for incentive
payments under Minnesota Statutes, sections
41A.16, 41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, this appropriation is available until
June 30, 2027. If this appropriation exceeds
the total amount for which all producers are
eligible in a fiscal year, the balance of the
appropriation is available for other purposes
under this paragraph. The base under this
clause is $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
each year thereafter;

(3) $3,375,000 the second year is for grants
that enable retail petroleum dispensers, fuel
storage tanks, and other equipment to dispense
biofuels to the public in accordance with the
biofuel replacement goals established under
Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail
petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use
in spark ignition engines for vehicle model
years after 2000 is eligible for grant money
under this clause if the retail petroleum
dispenser has no more than ten retail
petroleum dispensing sites and each site is
located in Minnesota. The grant money must
be used to replace or upgrade equipment that
does not have the ability to be certified for
E25. A grant award must not exceed 65
percent of the cost of the appropriate
technology. A grant award must not exceed
$200,000 per station. The commissioner must
cooperate with biofuel stakeholders in the
implementation of the grant program. The
commissioner, in cooperation with any
economic or community development
financial institution and any other entity with
which the commissioner contracts, must
submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure
financial assistance program by January 15 of
each year to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
policy and finance. The annual report must
include but not be limited to a summary of the
following metrics: (i) the number and types
of projects financed; (ii) the amount of money
leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the
geographic distribution of financed projects;
(iv) any market expansion associated with
upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics
of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the
program; and (vii) the number of grants to
minority-owned or female-owned businesses.
The base under this clause is $3,000,000 for
fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter;

(4) $1,250,000 the second year is for grants
to facilitate the start-up, modernization, or
expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk
processing facilities. A grant award under this
clause must not exceed $200,000. Any
unencumbered balance at the end of the second
year does not cancel until June 30, 2027, and
may be used for other purposes under this
paragraph. The base under this clause is
$250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year
thereafter;

(5) $1,275,000 the second year is for providing
more fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain,
and dairy for children in school and early
childhood education settings, including, at the
commissioner's discretion, providing grants
to reimburse schools and early childhood
education and child care providers for
purchasing equipment and agricultural
products. Organizations must participate in
the National School Lunch Program or the
Child and Adult Care Food Program to be
eligible. Of the amount appropriated, $150,000
is for a statewide coordinator of
farm-to-institution strategy and programming.
The coordinator must consult with relevant
stakeholders and provide technical assistance
and training for participating farmers and
eligible grant recipients. The base under this
clause is $1,294,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
each year thereafter;

(6) $4,000,000 the second year is for Dairy
Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative
(DAIRI) grants and other forms of financial
assistance to Minnesota dairy farms that enroll
in coverage under a federal dairy risk
protection program and produced no more
than 16,000,000 pounds of milk in 2022. The
commissioner must make DAIRI payments
based on the amount of milk produced in
2022, up to 5,000,000 pounds per participating
farm, at a rate determined by the commissioner
within the limits of available funding. Any
unencumbered balance on June 30, 2026, may
be used for other purposes under this
paragraph. The allocation in this clause is
onetime;

(7) $2,000,000 the second year is for urban
youth agricultural education or urban
agriculture community development;

(8) $1,000,000 the second year is for the good
food access program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.1017; and

(9) $225,000 the second year is for the
protecting livestock grant program for
producers to support the installation of
measures to prevent the transmission of avian
influenza. For the appropriation in this
paragraph, a grant applicant must document
a cost-share of 20 percent. An applicant's
cost-share amount may be reduced up to
$2,000 to cover time and labor costs.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.98, subdivision 14, the commissioner may
use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
administrative costs. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2027. This is a onetime
appropriation.

new text begin (e) new text end Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, deleted text begin this deleted text end new text begin the new text end appropriation new text begin in
paragraph (d) new text end does not cancel at the end of the
second year and is available until June 30,
2027. Appropriations encumbered under
contract on or before June 30, 2027, for
agricultural growth, research, and innovation
grants are available until June 30, 2030.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end The base for the agricultural growth,
research, and innovation program is
$17,582,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year
thereafter and includes $200,000 each year for
cooperative development grants.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

AGRICULTURE STATUTORY CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.133, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Grants.

The commissioner may award farm down payment assistance grants
of up to deleted text begin $15,000 deleted text end new text begin $20,000 new text end per eligible farmer. Each award must be matched with at least
$8,000 of other funding. Grants under this subdivision may be awarded by a randomized
selection process after applications are collected over a period of no less than 30 calendar
days. An eligible farmer must commit to own and farm the land purchased with assistance
provided under this section for at least five years. For each year that a grant recipient does
not own and farm the land during the five-year period, the grant recipient must pay a penalty
to the commissioner equal to 20 percent of the grant amount.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18B.01, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:

Subd. 1d.

Application or use of a pesticide.

"Application or use of a pesticide" includes:

(1) the dispersal of a pesticide on, in, at, or directed toward a target site; new text begin and
new text end

deleted text begin (2) preapplication activities that involve the mixing and loading of a restricted use
pesticide; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end other restricted use pesticide-related activities, including but not limited to
transporting or storing pesticide containers that have been opened; new text begin mixing; loading; new text end cleaning
equipment; and disposing of excess pesticides, spray mix, equipment wash waters, pesticide
containers, and other materials that contain pesticide.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 10c. new text end

new text begin Handler. new text end

new text begin "Handler" means an individual who meets all the requirements for
noncertified applicator specified in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, section 171.201,
and engages in preapplication activities that involve the mixing, loading, and transporting
of a restricted use pesticide under the supervision of a licensed pesticide applicator.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18B.30, is amended to read:

18B.30 PESTICIDE USE LICENSE REQUIREMENT; INTERNET SALES
PROHIBITED; RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDES.

(a) A person may not use a restricted use pesticide without a license or certification
required under sections 18B.29 to 18B.35 and the use may only be done under conditions
prescribed by the commissioner new text begin , except that a handler may engage in preapplication activities
that involve the mixing, loading, and transporting of a restricted use pesticide under the
supervision of a licensed pesticide applicator new text end .

(b) A person shall not sell any pesticide labeled for restricted use over an Internet website
to a Minnesota resident who is not a licensed or certified pesticide applicator. A person
selling a pesticide labeled for restricted use over an Internet website to a Minnesota resident
must verify that the purchaser is a licensed or certified pesticide applicator under sections
18B.29 to 18B.35.

Sec. 5.

new text begin [18C.113] BIOFERTILIZER INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin In consultation with the commissioner of natural
resources and soil and water conservation districts in Minnesota, the commissioner of
agriculture must develop and administer a biofertilizer innovation and efficiency program
to address water quality by incentivizing Minnesota farmers to improve nitrogen management
and incorporate innovative technologies into the farmers' crop nutrient management plans.
The commissioner must determine which products qualify for the program, including soil
amendments, fertilizers with nitrogen-fixing properties, biological sources of nitrogen, and
other biofertilizers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Payments to qualified farmers. new text end

new text begin (a) In consultation with farmers and the
fertilizer industry, the commissioner must establish a per-acre payment rate, not less than
$5 per acre, for payments provided to a qualifying farmer. The program must provide an
annual per-acre incentive payment to a qualifying farmer who verifies through documentation
that the farmer has reduced commercial nitrogen fertilizer rates by using a qualifying product
in the farmer's crop nutrient management plans by the lesser of:
new text end

new text begin (1) 15 percent; or
new text end

new text begin (2) 30 pounds per acre.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Department of Agriculture must annually review and may adjust the per-acre
payment rate based on inflation and emerging fertilizer technology.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Qualifications. new text end

new text begin To qualify for the biofertilizer water preservation program, a
farmer must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be a Minnesota resident operating farmland located in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) submit documentation to the commissioner, including a crop nutrient management
plan that will reduce the use of commercial nitrogen fertilizers at the reduction rate required
under subdivision 2 by using a qualifying product determined by the commissioner under
subdivision 1; and
new text end

new text begin (3) enroll a minimum of 40 eligible acres.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Review required. new text end

new text begin Every two years, the commissioner must review:
new text end

new text begin (1) the program's required minimum commercial nitrogen fertilizer reduction rate under
subdivision 2 and determine whether an increase in the minimum reduction rate is necessary;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) additional qualifying products that may be used by farmers in the program. When
making this determination, the commissioner must consider newly available technologies
and products capable of reducing commercial nitrogen fertilizer applications.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Rulemaking required. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must adopt rules using rulemaking
authority under section 18C.121, subdivision 1, to implement this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Program study. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must conduct an evaluation of the practice
performance and economic performance of the biofertilizer innovation and efficiency
program. The evaluation must look at environmental outcomes, include a cost-benefit
analysis, and be submitted to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and finance by June 1,
2027. The commissioner may contract with an independent third party to conduct the
evaluation.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

BROADBAND

Section 1. new text begin BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2026 new text end		new text begin 2027 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,001,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,001,000 new text end

new text begin $1,001,000 each year is for the Office of
Broadband Development.
new text end