SF 4396

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/17/2020 01:59pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a grain storage facility safety grant program;
appropriating money for grain storage facility safety grants and curriculum
development; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [17.121] GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Protection equipment grants; eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must
award cost-share grants to Minnesota farmers who purchase grain storage facility safety
protection equipment. Grants are limited to $500 or 75 percent of the farmer's documented
cost to purchase, ship, and install grain storage facility safety protection equipment,
whichever is less.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible grain storage facility safety protection equipment includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) fall protection systems;
new text end

new text begin (2) personal protective equipment to increase survivability in the event of an emergency
related to a grain bin;
new text end

new text begin (3) engineering controls to prevent contact with an auger or other moving parts; and
new text end

new text begin (4) other grain storage facility safety protection equipment approved by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grain silo air quality monitoring equipment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must award
cost-share grants to Minnesota farmers who purchase grain silo air quality monitoring
equipment. Grants are limited to $500 or 75 percent of the farmer's documented cost to
purchase, ship, and install grain silo air quality monitoring equipment, whichever is less.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Promotion; administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may spend up to five percent
of total program dollars each fiscal year to promote and administer the program to Minnesota
farmers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Nonstate sources; appropriation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must accept contributions
from nonstate sources, including but not limited to nonprofits, foundations, and corporations
to supplement state appropriations for the program. Contributions received under this
subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of this section.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of agriculture for the grain storage facility safety grant program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.121.
new text end

new text begin (b) $25,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of agriculture for a grant to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the
University of Minnesota Extension to create and present curriculum regarding grain storage
facility safety. The University of Minnesota Extension is encouraged to collaborate with
stakeholders, including 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and agriculture education programs
through the schools to ensure these resources are available to current and future farmers.
By January 10, 2022, the University of Minnesota Extension shall report on the results of
the grant to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
new text end

new text begin (c) $25,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture for
grants to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota or the Board of Trustees of
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to design digital applications that allow a
user to remotely power off a grain storage facility via cell phone or electronic device. By
January 15, 2021, the commissioner shall report on the grants issued under this appropriation
to the members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agriculture finance and
higher education finance.
new text end