HF 5366

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/15/2024 03:37pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; appropriating money for county agricultural inspector grants.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of agriculture for grants to counties to support county agricultural inspectors.
The commissioner may use up to three percent of the appropriation each year for
administration.
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new text begin (b) To be eligible for grants under this section, a county must employ a county agricultural
inspector or a county-designated employee who:
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new text begin (1) has attended training for new county agricultural inspectors offered by the
commissioner;
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new text begin (2) coordinates with the commissioner to review applicable laws and enforcement
procedures;
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new text begin (3) compiles and submits to the commissioner local weed inspector annual report data;
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new text begin (4) conducts an annual meeting and training for local weed inspectors; and
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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.
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new text begin (c) 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.
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