HF 4165

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; creating a price support program for beef cattle producers
located within a downgraded bovine tuberculosis split state zone; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [17.120] SPLIT STATE BEEF PRICE SUPPORT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall administer a program to
provide price support payments to eligible beef cattle producers. The commissioner shall
issue payments required under this section quarterly and no later than April 30, July
30, October 30, and January 30.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a split state beef price support payment,
a person must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be the principal operator of a beef cattle operation located wholly or partially
within a split state zone designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as
modified accredited or accreditation preparatory for bovine tuberculosis;
new text end

new text begin (2) have sold a beef cow, steer, or heifer during the previous three months;
new text end

new text begin (3) be a resident of Minnesota or an entity authorized to farm in this state under
section 500.24, subdivision 3; and
new text end

new text begin (4) apply to the commissioner on forms prescribed by the commissioner including a
statement of any beef cattle sale and price per hundredweight received during the previous
three months, along with any proof or other documentation the commissioner may require.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Payment calculation. new text end

new text begin If in any quarter the average price received by
an eligible person for beef cattle sold is less than the average price received by all
Minnesota beef cattle producers with operations located outside of the split state zone,
the commissioner shall pay the eligible person an amount equal to the price differential
per hundredweight times the total quantity of beef cattle sold by the eligible person, as
measured in hundredweight, during the previous quarter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Partnership. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may partner with the Farm Service
Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture for administration of the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires 30 days after the United States
Department of Agriculture publishes notice in the Federal Register that the entire state
has achieved a bovine tuberculosis status of modified accredited advanced or accredited
free, whichever comes first. However, before the program expires the commissioner shall
make any price support payments required under this section to an eligible person who
applies for payment on a cattle sale that occurred after the last payment date and before
the effective date of the United States Department of Agriculture's status upgrade.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the commissioner
of agriculture for the split state beef price support program in section 1.
new text end