HF 4491

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/04/2024 02:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; appropriating money for soil health grants that enable
farmers in the Karst region to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; SOIL HEALTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
GRANTS; KARST REGION NITROGEN FERTILIZER REDUCTION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of agriculture for soil health financial assistance grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.134, to eligible applicants located in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower,
Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona County. The commissioner may award grants under this
appropriation only for projects that the commissioner reasonably anticipates will result in
a measurable decrease in the application of nitrogen fertilizer by:
new text end

new text begin (1) increasing the usage of precision agricultural practices under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.134, subdivision 2, clause (4); or
new text end

new text begin (2) enabling purchases under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.134, subdivision 2, clause
(6), that further increase usage of precision agricultural practices.
new text end

new text begin (b) This is a onetime appropriation. Amounts encumbered under contract by June 30,
2025, are available until June 30, 2027. This appropriation is in addition to the soil health
financial assistance program appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 2, paragraph (b).
new text end