SF 1329

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/26/2021 01:53pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; extending the mediation period for certain farmer-lender
mediations.

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

Section 1. new text begin FARMER-LENDER MEDIATION EXTENSIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The legislature finds that due to the emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic,
the time period for the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act must be temporarily extended to
ensure an orderly process with state assistance to adjust agricultural indebtedness to preserve
the general welfare and fiscal integrity of the state.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 583.26, subdivision 4, a creditor may
not begin or continue proceedings to enforce a debt subject to the Farmer-Lender Mediation
Act against agricultural property of the debtor under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 580 or
581, or Minnesota Statutes, sections 336.9-601 to 336.9-624, to terminate a contract for
deed to purchase agricultural property under Minnesota Statutes, section 559.21, or to
garnish, levy on, execute on, seize, or attach agricultural property until 150 days after the
date the debtor files a mediation request with the director of the Minnesota Extension Service.
new text end

new text begin (c) Any mediation proceeding being conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter
583, and that is in progress on the effective date of this section is allowed an additional 60
days from the date the debtor filed a mediation request with the director of the Minnesota
Extension Service before a creditor can proceed to enforce a debt against the debtor's
agricultural property.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to (1) mediation proceedings in progress on the effective date of this section, and
(2) mediation proceedings beginning after the effective date of this section if the mediation
request is filed before ...., 2021.
new text end