HF 8

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature, 2021 1st Special Session (2021 - 2021) Posted on 06/26/2021 12:08pm

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a budget for the Department of Agriculture,
the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and
the Office of Broadband Development; creating a program and an account; requiring
reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055,
by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 32D.

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

ARTICLE 1

AGRICULTURE

Section 1. new text begin AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year" is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2022 new text end		new text begin 2023 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 59,303,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 59,410,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2022 new text end	new text begin 2023 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 58,904,000 new text end	new text begin 59,011,000 new text end
new text begin Remediation new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Protection Services new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2022 new text end	new text begin 2023 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 19,384,000 new text end	new text begin 19,610,000 new text end
new text begin Remediation new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end	new text begin 399,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $399,000 the first year and $399,000 the
second year are from the remediation fund for
administrative funding for the voluntary
cleanup program.
new text end

new text begin (b) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the
second year are for compensation for
destroyed or crippled livestock under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737. The first
year appropriation may be spent to compensate
for livestock that were destroyed or crippled
during fiscal year 2021. If the amount in the
first year is insufficient, the amount in the
second year is available in the first year. The
commissioner may use up to $5,000 each year
to reimburse expenses incurred by university
extension educators to provide fair market
values of destroyed or crippled livestock. If
the commissioner receives federal dollars to
pay claims for destroyed or crippled livestock,
an equivalent amount of this appropriation
may be used to reimburse nonlethal prevention
methods performed by federal wildlife services
staff.
new text end

new text begin (c) $155,000 the first year and $155,000 the
second year are for compensation for crop
damage under Minnesota Statutes, section
3.7371. If the amount in the first year is
insufficient, the amount in the second year is
available in the first year. The commissioner
may use up to $10,000 of the appropriation
each year to reimburse expenses incurred by
the commissioner or the commissioner's
approved agent to investigate and resolve
claims, as well as for costs associated with
training for approved agents. The
commissioner may use up to $20,000 of the
appropriation each year to make grants to
producers for measures to protect stored crops
from elk damage.
new text end

new text begin If the commissioner determines that claims
made under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737
or 3.7371, are unusually high, amounts
appropriated for either program may be
transferred to the appropriation for the other
program.
new text end

new text begin (d) $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the
second year are for additional funding for the
noxious weed and invasive plant program.
new text end

new text begin (e) $50,000 the first year is for additional
funding for the industrial hemp program for
IT development. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2023.
new text end

new text begin (f) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the
second year are for additional meat and poultry
inspection services. The commissioner is
encouraged to seek inspection waivers,
matching federal dollars, and offer more online
inspections for the purposes under this
paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (g) $825,000 the first year and $825,000 the
second year are to replace capital equipment
in the Department of Agriculture's analytical
laboratory.
new text end

new text begin (h) $274,000 the first year and $550,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Agricultural Marketing and Development new text end

new text begin 4,200,000 new text end

new text begin 4,205,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $186,000 the first year and $186,000 the
second year are for transfer to the Minnesota
grown account and may be used as grants for
Minnesota grown promotion under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.102. Grants may be made
for one year. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations
encumbered under contract on or before June
30, 2023, for Minnesota grown grants in this
paragraph are available until June 30, 2025.
new text end

new text begin (b) $50,000 the first year is to expand
international marketing opportunities for
farmers and value-added processors, including
in-market representation in Taiwan. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (c) $634,000 the first year and $634,000 the
second year are for continuation of the dairy
development and profitability enhancement
programs including dairy profitability teams
and dairy business planning grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 32D.30.
new text end

new text begin (d) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the
second year are for additional funding for
mental health outreach and support to farmers
and others in the agricultural community,
including a 24-hour hotline, stigma reduction,
and educational offerings. These are onetime
appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner may use funds
appropriated in this subdivision for annual
cost-share payments to resident farmers or
entities that sell, process, or package
agricultural products in this state for the costs
of organic certification. The commissioner
may allocate these funds for assistance to
persons transitioning from conventional to
organic agriculture.
new text end

new text begin (f) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are for the farm safety grant and
outreach programs under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.1195. These are onetime
appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (g) $54,000 the first year and $109,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Bioproduct Advancement new text end

new text begin 25,343,000 new text end

new text begin 25,357,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $9,300,000 the first year and $9,300,000
the second year are for transfer to the
agriculture research, education, extension, and
technology transfer account under Minnesota
Statutes, section 41A.14, subdivision 3. Of
these amounts: at least $600,000 the first year
and $600,000 the second year are for the
Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station's
agriculture rapid response fund under
Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14,
subdivision 1, clause (2); $2,000,000 the first
year and $2,000,000 the second year are for
grants to the Minnesota Agriculture Education
Leadership Council to enhance agricultural
education with priority given to Farm Business
Management challenge grants; $350,000 the
first year and $350,000 the second year are
for potato breeding; and $450,000 the first
year and $450,000 the second year are for the
cultivated wild rice breeding project at the
North Central Research and Outreach Center
to include a tenure track/research associate
plant breeder. The commissioner shall transfer
the remaining funds in this appropriation each
year to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for purposes of Minnesota
Statutes, section 41A.14. Of the amount
transferred to the Board of Regents, up to
$1,000,000 each year is for research on avian
influenza, salmonella, and other turkey-related
diseases. By January 15, 2023, entities
receiving grants for potato breeding and wild
rice breeding are requested to report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
agriculture and higher education regarding the
use of the grant money and to provide an
update on the status of research and related
accomplishments.
new text end

new text begin To the extent practicable, money expended
under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14,
subdivision 1, clauses (1) and (2), must
supplement and not supplant existing sources
and levels of funding. The commissioner may
use up to one percent of this appropriation for
costs incurred to administer the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) $16,028,000 the first year and $16,028,000
the second year are for the agricultural growth,
research, and innovation program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12. Except
as provided below, the commissioner may
allocate the appropriation each year among
the following areas: facilitating the start-up,
modernization, improvement, or expansion of
livestock operations including beginning and
transitioning livestock operations with
preference given to robotic dairy-milking
equipment; providing funding not to exceed
$800,000 each year to develop and enhance
farm-to-school markets for Minnesota farmers
by providing more fruits, vegetables, meat,
grain, and dairy for Minnesota children in
school and child care settings including, at the
commissioner's discretion, reimbursing
schools for purchases from local farmers;
assisting value-added agricultural businesses
to begin or expand, to access new markets, or
to diversify, including aquaponics systems;
providing funding not to exceed $600,000
each year for urban youth agricultural
education or urban agriculture community
development of which $10,000 each year is
for transfer to the emerging farmer account
under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.055,
subdivision 1a; providing funding not to
exceed $450,000 each year for the good food
access program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.1017; facilitating the start-up,
modernization, or expansion of other
beginning and transitioning farms including
by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41B.056; sustainable agriculture
on-farm research and demonstration;
development or expansion of food hubs and
other alternative community-based food
distribution systems; enhancing renewable
energy infrastructure and use; crop research;
Farm Business Management tuition assistance;
and good agricultural practices and good
handling practices certification assistance. The
commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
this appropriation for costs incurred to
administer the program.
new text end

new text begin Of the amount appropriated for the agricultural
growth, research, and innovation program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12:
new text end

new text begin (1) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for distribution in equal
amounts to each of the state's county fairs to
preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture;
new text end

new text begin (2) $4,500,000 the first year and $4,500,000
the second year are for incentive payments
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16,
41A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the first
year appropriation is available until June 30,
2023, and the second year appropriation is
available until June 30, 2024. If this
appropriation exceeds the total amount for
which all producers are eligible in a fiscal
year, the balance of the appropriation is
available for other purposes under this
paragraph;
new text end

new text begin (3) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000
the second year are for grants that enable retail
petroleum dispensers, fuel storage tanks, and
other equipment to dispense biofuels to the
public in accordance with the biofuel
replacement goals established under
Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail
petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use
in spark ignition engines for vehicle model
years after 2000 is eligible for grant money
under this clause if the retail petroleum
dispenser has no more than 10 retail petroleum
dispensing sites and each site is located in
Minnesota. The grant money must be used to
replace or upgrade equipment that does not
have the ability to be certified for E25. A grant
award must not exceed 65 percent of the cost
of the appropriate technology. A grant award
must not exceed $200,000 per station. The
commissioner must cooperate with biofuel
stakeholders in the implementation of the grant
program. The commissioner, in cooperation
with any economic or community development
financial institution and any other entity with
which it contracts, must submit a report on the
biofuels infrastructure financial assistance
program by January 15 of each year to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over agriculture policy and
finance. The annual report must include but
not be limited to a summary of the following
metrics: (i) the number and types of projects
financed; (ii) the amount of dollars leveraged
or matched per project; (iii) the geographic
distribution of financed projects; (iv) any
market expansion associated with upgraded
infrastructure; (v) the demographics of the
areas served; (vi) the costs of the program;
and (vii) the number of grants to
minority-owned or female-owned businesses;
new text end

new text begin (4) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the
second year are for grants to facilitate the
start-up, modernization, or expansion of meat,
poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities. A
grant award under this clause must not exceed
$200,000. Any unencumbered balance at the
end of the second year does not cancel until
June 30, 2024, and may be used for other
purposes under this paragraph. The
appropriations under this clause are onetime;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) $1,400,000 the first year and $1,400,000
the second year are for livestock investment
grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.118. Any unencumbered balance at the end
of the second year does not cancel until June
30, 2024, and may be used for other purposes
under this paragraph. The appropriations under
this clause are onetime.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available for the second year, and
appropriations encumbered under contract on
or before June 30, 2023, for agricultural
growth, research, and innovation grants are
available until June 30, 2026.
new text end

new text begin The base amount for the agricultural growth,
research, and innovation program is
$16,053,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$16,053,000 in fiscal year 2025, and includes
funding for incentive payments under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16, 41A.17,
41A.18, and 41A.20.
new text end

new text begin (c) $15,000 the first year and $29,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Administration and Financial Assistance new text end

new text begin 9,977,000 new text end

new text begin 9,839,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $474,000 the first year and $474,000 the
second year are for payments to county and
district agricultural societies and associations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02,
subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and
district agricultural societies and associations
shall be disbursed no later than July 15 of each
year. These payments are the amount of aid
from the state for an annual fair held in the
previous calendar year.
new text end

new text begin (b) $387,000 the first year and $337,000 the
second year are for farm advocate services.
Of these amounts, $100,000 the first year and
$50,000 the second year are for a pilot
program creating farmland access teams to
provide technical assistance to potential
beginning farmers. The farmland access teams
must assist existing farmers and beginning
farmers on transitioning farm ownership and
operation. Services provided by teams may
include but are not limited to providing
mediation assistance, designing contracts,
financial planning, tax preparation, estate
planning, and housing assistance. Of this
amount for farm transitions, up to $50,000 the
first year may be used to upgrade the
Minnesota FarmLink web application that
connects farmers looking for land with farmers
looking to transition their land.
new text end

new text begin (c) $47,000 the first year and $47,000 the
second year are for grants to the Northern
Crops Institute that may be used to purchase
equipment. These are onetime appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (d) $238,000 the first year and $238,000 the
second year are for transfer to the Board of
Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities for statewide mental health
counseling support to farm families and
business operators through the Minnesota State
Agricultural Centers of Excellence. South
Central College and Central Lakes College
shall serve as the fiscal agents.
new text end

new text begin (e) $1,700,000 the first year and $1,700,000
the second year are for grants to Second
Harvest Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's
six Feeding America food banks for the
following:
new text end

new text begin (1) to purchase milk for distribution to
Minnesota's food shelves and other charitable
organizations that are eligible to receive food
from the food banks. Milk purchased under
the grants must be acquired from Minnesota
milk processors and based on low-cost bids.
The milk must be allocated to each Feeding
America food bank serving Minnesota
according to the formula used in the
distribution of United States Department of
Agriculture commodities under The
Emergency Food Assistance Program. Second
Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts or
agreements with food banks for shared funding
or reimbursement of the direct purchase of
milk. Each food bank that receives funding
under this clause may use up to two percent
for administrative expenses;
new text end

new text begin (2) to compensate agricultural producers and
processors for costs incurred to harvest and
package for transfer surplus fruits, vegetables,
and other agricultural commodities that would
otherwise go unharvested, be discarded, or
sold in a secondary market. Surplus
commodities must be distributed statewide to
food shelves and other charitable organizations
that are eligible to receive food from the food
banks. Surplus food acquired under this clause
must be from Minnesota producers and
processors. Second Harvest Heartland may
use up to 15 percent of each grant awarded
under this clause for administrative and
transportation expenses; and
new text end

new text begin (3) to purchase and distribute protein products,
including but not limited to pork, poultry, beef,
dry legumes, cheese, and eggs to Minnesota's
food shelves and other charitable organizations
that are eligible to receive food from the food
banks. Second Harvest Heartland may use up
to two percent of each grant awarded under
this clause for administrative expenses. Protein
products purchased under the grants must be
acquired from Minnesota processors and
producers.
new text end

new text begin Of the amount appropriated under this
paragraph, at least $600,000 each year must
be allocated under clause (1). Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any
unencumbered balance the first year does not
cancel and is available in the second year.
Second Harvest Heartland must submit
quarterly reports to the commissioner and the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
agriculture finance in the form prescribed by
the commissioner. The reports must include
but are not limited to information on the
expenditure of funds, the amount of milk or
other commodities purchased, and the
organizations to which this food was
distributed.
new text end

new text begin (f) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Agricultural Education and Leadership
Council for programs of the council under
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D.
new text end

new text begin (g) $1,437,000 the first year and $1,437,000
the second year are for transfer to the
agricultural and environmental revolving loan
account established under Minnesota Statutes,
section 17.117, subdivision 5a, for low-interest
loans under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.117. The base for appropriations under this
paragraph in fiscal year 2024 and thereafter
is $1,425,000. The commissioner must
examine how the department could use up to
one-third of the amount transferred to the
agricultural and environmental revolving loan
account under this paragraph to award grants
to rural landowners to replace septic systems
that inadequately protect groundwater. No
later than February 1, 2022, the commissioner
must report to the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture finance and
environment finance on the results of the
examination required under this paragraph.
The commissioner's report may include other
funding sources for septic system replacement
that are available to rural landowners.
new text end

new text begin (h) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are for grants to the Center for
Rural Policy and Development. These are
onetime appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (i) $150,000 the first year is to provide grants
to Central Lakes College for the purposes of
designing, building, and offering credentials
in the area of meat cutting and butchery that
align with industry needs as advised by local
industry advisory councils. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available for the
second year. The commissioner may only
award a grant under this paragraph if the grant
is matched by a like amount from another
funding source. The commissioner must seek
matching dollars from Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities or other entities.
The appropriation is onetime and is available
until June 30, 2024. Any money remaining on
June 30, 2024, must be transferred to the
agricultural growth, research, and innovation
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
41A.12, and is available until June 30, 2025.
Grants may be used for costs including but
not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) facility renovation to accommodate meat
cutting;
new text end

new text begin (2) curriculum design and approval from the
Higher Learning Commission;
new text end

new text begin (3) program operational start-up costs;
new text end

new text begin (4) equipment required for a meat cutting
program; and
new text end

new text begin (5) meat handling start-up costs in regard to
meat access and market channel building.
new text end

new text begin No later than January 15, 2023, Central Lakes
College must submit a report outlining the use
of grant money to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture and higher education.
new text end

new text begin (j) $2,000 the first year is for grants to the
Minnesota State Poultry Association. This is
a onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available for the
second year.
new text end

new text begin (k) $17,000 the first year and $17,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
State Horticultural Society. These are onetime
appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (l) $18,000 the first year and $18,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Livestock Breeders Association. These are
onetime appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (m) The commissioner shall continue to
increase connections with ethnic minority and
immigrant farmers to farming opportunities
and farming programs throughout the state.
new text end

new text begin (n) $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the
second year are for grants to the Southern
Minnesota Initiative Foundation to promote
local foods through an annual event that raises
public awareness of local foods and connects
local food producers and processors with
potential buyers.
new text end

new text begin (o) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are for grants to Greater Mankato
Growth, Inc., for assistance to
agriculture-related businesses to promote jobs,
innovation, and synergy development. These
are onetime appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (p) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are for grants to the Minnesota
Turf Seed Council for basic and applied
research. The Minnesota Turf Seed Council
may subcontract with a qualified third party
for some or all of the basic or applied research.
No later than January 15, 2023, the Minnesota
Turf Seed Council must submit a report
outlining the use of the grant money and
related accomplishments to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over agriculture.
These are onetime appropriations. Any
unencumbered balance does not cancel at the
end of the first year and is available for the
second year.
new text end

new text begin (q) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are to establish an emerging
farmer office and hire a full-time emerging
farmer outreach coordinator. The emerging
farmer outreach coordinator must engage and
support emerging farmers regarding resources
and opportunities available throughout the
Department of Agriculture and the state. For
purposes of this paragraph, "emerging farmer"
has the meaning provided in Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.055, subdivision 1. Of the
amount appropriated each year, $25,000 is for
translation services for farmers and cottage
food producers.
new text end

new text begin (r) $222,000 the first year and $286,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 5,980,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 6,081,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
second year are for agricultural emergency
preparedness and response.
new text end

new text begin (b) $103,000 the first year and $204,000 the
second year are to maintain the current level
of service delivery.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 4,543,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 4,043,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are for a meat scientist.
new text end

new text begin (b) $500,000 the first year is for grants to
organizations to acquire, host, and operate a
mobile slaughter unit. The mobile unit must
coordinate with Minnesota state two-year
colleges that have meat cutting programs to
accommodate training as it relates to animal
slaughter. The mobile unit may coordinate
with livestock producers who desire to provide
value-added meat products by utilizing the
mobile slaughter unit. The mobile unit may
be used for research, training outside of the
two-year colleges, and other activities that
align with industry needs. The Agricultural
Utilization Research Institute may only award
a grant under this paragraph if the grant
amount is matched by a like amount from
another funding source. The Agricultural
Utilization Research Institute must seek
matching dollars from Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities or other entities for
purposes of this paragraph. The appropriation
under this paragraph is onetime and is
available until June 30, 2024. Any money
remaining on June 30, 2024, must be
transferred to the commissioner of agriculture
for the agricultural growth, research, and
innovation program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 41A.12, and is available until June 30,
2025. By January 15, 2023, the institute must
report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over agriculture regarding the
status of the project, including the status of
the use of any state or matching dollars to
complete the project.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 17.055, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Emerging farmer account. new text end

new text begin An emerging farmer account is established in the
agricultural fund. The account consists of money appropriated by law and any other money
donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. Money in the account,
including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section and
must be used to further the objectives of the emerging farmer working group.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [32D.30] DAIRY DEVELOPMENT AND PROFITABILITY
ENHANCEMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Program. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must implement a dairy development and
profitability enhancement program consisting of dairy profitability enhancement teams and
dairy business planning grants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Dairy profitability enhancement teams. new text end

new text begin (a) Dairy profitability enhancement
teams must provide one-on-one information and technical assistance to dairy farms of all
sizes to enhance their financial success and long-term sustainability. Teams must assist
dairy producers in all dairy producing regions of the state and may consist of farm business
management instructors, dairy extension specialists, and other dairy industry partners. Teams
may engage in activities including comprehensive financial analysis, risk management
education, enhanced milk marketing tools and technologies, and facilitating or improving
production systems including rotational grazing and other sustainable agriculture methods.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must make grants to regional or statewide organizations qualified
to manage the various components of the teams. Each regional or statewide organization
must designate a coordinator responsible for overseeing the program and submitting periodic
reports to the commissioner regarding aggregate changes in producer financial stability,
productivity, product quality, animal health, environmental protection, and other performance
measures attributable to the program. The organizations must submit this information in a
format that maintains the confidentiality of individual dairy producers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Dairy business planning grants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may award dairy business
planning grants of up to $5,000 per producer to develop comprehensive business plans.
Producers must not use dairy business planning grants for capital improvements.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Funding allocation. new text end

new text begin Except as specified in law, the commissioner may allocate
dairy development and profitability enhancement program dollars among the permissible
uses specified in this section, including efforts to improve the quality of milk produced in
the state, in the proportions that the commissioner deems most beneficial to the state's dairy
farmers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin No later than July 1 each year, the commissioner must submit a
detailed accomplishment report and work plan detailing future plans for, and the actual and
anticipated accomplishments from, expenditures under this section to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over
agriculture policy and finance. If the commissioner significantly modifies a submitted work
plan during the fiscal year, the commissioner must notify the chairs and ranking minority
members.
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin CANCELLATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $916,553 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for protection services
under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, is
canceled.
new text end

new text begin (b) $136,000 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for agricultural marketing
and development under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 3, is canceled.
new text end

new text begin (c) $120,000 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for agriculture, bioenergy,
and bioproduct advancement under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1,
section 2, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 2020, chapter 89, article 4, section 34, and
Laws 2020, chapter 101, section 3, is canceled.
new text end

new text begin (d) $157,500 of the fiscal year 2021 general fund appropriation for administration and
financial assistance under Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 5, as amended by Laws 2020, chapter 74, article 1, section 3, is canceled.
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

ARTICLE 2

BROADBAND

Section 1. new text begin BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agency
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year" is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2022 new text end		new text begin 2023 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 350,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 350,000 new text end

new text begin $350,000 each year is for the Office of
Broadband Development.
new text end