SF 3479

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/11/2022 01:51pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; appropriating money for grants and financial assistance to
livestock farmers and crop producers impacted by drought; appropriating money
to the Rural Finance Authority revolving loan account for drought relief.

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 the purpose of providing grants and other forms of financial
assistance to livestock farmers and specialty crop producers impacted by the 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 include
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. Any
unencumbered balance at the end of the year does not cancel and is available until June 30,
2024. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (b) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the Rural
Finance Authority revolving loan account established under Minnesota Statutes, section
41B.06, for drought relief loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 41B.047. If this
appropriation exceeds the total amount for which all farmers are eligible in a fiscal year,
the balance of the appropriation is available for other programs eligible for funding under
the Rural Finance Authority's revolving loan account. Any unencumbered balance at the
end of the year does not cancel and is available until June 30, 2024. This is a onetime
appropriation.
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