HF 4533

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/04/2024 02:29pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a program to provide grants to prevent the
spread of avian influenza; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin AVIAN INFLUENZA PREVENTION PROGRAM.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of agriculture may award grants to poultry producers to install
avian influenza prevention measures to prevent transmission of avian influenza from wild
birds to domestic poultry. 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 poultry producer must raise poultry
within Minnesota. Poultry producers must use grant money to reimburse themselves for the
cost of preventing the spread of avian influenza during operations in Minnesota.
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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 avian influenza prevention activities.
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new text begin (d) Eligible avian influenza prevention measures include but are not limited to:
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new text begin (1) lasers or lighting systems;
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new text begin (2) visual deterrents such as air socks, plastic predators, and animal decoys; and
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new text begin (3) sound systems or air cannons.
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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 the spread of avian influenza;
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new text begin (2) retain proper documentation of expenses;
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new text begin (3) report annually to the commissioner on the effectiveness of the methods employed;
and
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new text begin (4) allow follow-up evaluations and monitoring by the commissioner.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of agriculture for avian influenza prevention grants under section
1.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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