SF 3443

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/01/2022 09:29am

A bill for an act
relating to drought relief; providing financial assistance to livestock farmers and
specialty crop producers impacted by drought; providing drought relief loans to
farmers; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin DROUGHT RELIEF; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of agriculture for grants and other forms of financial assistance for livestock
farmers and specialty crop producers impacted by drought in 2021. The commissioner may
issue payments of up to $10,000 on a first-come, first-served, noncompetitive basis.
Preference may be given to producers located in counties that included areas designated as
D4, exceptional drought, on any of the weekly maps published during 2021 by the National
Drought Mitigation Center at University of Nebraska - Lincoln. This is a onetime
appropriation. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, unencumbered balances
under this paragraph do not cancel until June 30, 2026.
new text end

new text begin (b) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is transferred from the general fund to the Rural
Finance Authority revolving loan account established under Minnesota Statutes, section
41B.06, with priority given to drought relief loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 41B.047.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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