HF 3226

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/13/2020 12:36pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; appropriating money for Japanese knotweed remediation;
imposing a temporary surcharge on nursery stock growers and dealers.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; RESIDENTIAL REMEDIATION.
new text end

new text begin $150,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the nursery and phytosanitary account
in the agricultural fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants that reimburse a person's
reasonable and documented costs to control or eradicate Japanese knotweed on residential
land owned or occupied by the person. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSFER; LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMEDIATION.
new text end

new text begin $150,000 in fiscal year 2021 is transferred from the nursery and phytosanitary account
to the noxious weed and invasive plant species assistance account in the agricultural fund.
With the proceeds of this transfer, the commissioner must award grants to local units of
government and tribal weed management entities under Minnesota Statutes, section 18.90
for Japanese knotweed control or eradication. This is a onetime transfer.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin TEMPORARY NURSERY INDUSTRY SURCHARGE.
new text end

new text begin In calendar year 2020, the commissioner of agriculture must impose a surcharge on
certified nursery stock growers and dealers. This surcharge is in addition to the annual
certification fees required under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 18H. The commissioner must
structure the surcharge to raise no more than $300,000, with surcharge amounts for certified
nursery stock growers based on acreage, and surcharge amounts for certified nursery stock
dealers based on sales. The commissioner must deposit surcharge revenue in the nursery
and phytosanitary account.
new text end