SF 1048

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/17/2017 08:59am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; codifying a farm safety working group; appropriating money
for farm safety initiatives; 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 [17.112] FARM SAFETY WORKING GROUP.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Farm Safety Working Group is established to advise
the commissioner and the legislature on farm safety issues and to perform the other duties
specified in this section.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership; appointments; compensation. new text end

new text begin (a) The Farm Safety Working
Group consists of:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as
the chair;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (3) the commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (4) a representative of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities;
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new text begin (5) a representative of University of Minnesota Extension;
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new text begin (6) a representative of the University of Minnesota's Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety
and Health Center;
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new text begin (7) a representative of Minnesota Farm Bureau;
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new text begin (8) a representative of Minnesota Farmers Union;
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new text begin (9) a representative of the Minnesota Safety Council;
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new text begin (10) a representative of the Minnesota-South Dakota Equipment Dealers Association;
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new text begin (11) a representative of the Minnesota Agriculture Education Leadership Council;
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new text begin (12) a representative of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs;
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new text begin (13) a representative of the Latino Economic Development Center; and
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new text begin (14) three citizen members appointed by the commissioner.
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new text begin (b) Members in paragraph (a), clauses (4) to (13), must be appointed by the specified
organization and serve at the pleasure of the organization. Members appointed by the
commissioner serve two-year terms.
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new text begin (c) Members must serve without compensation.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Meetings; staff. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall convene meetings as appropriate and
provide staff to support the working group.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The working group must serve as a forum to discuss farm safety issues
and organize a collective effort to improve farm safety in this state. The working group also
must:
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new text begin (1) coordinate the work and resources of member organizations;
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new text begin (2) monitor the impact of farm safety initiatives in Minnesota;
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new text begin (3) explore the feasibility and desirability of creating a farm safety certification program
to recognize farmers who participate in safety programs and meet safety standards, and
identify appropriate financial incentives for participating farmers; and
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new text begin (4) increase farmer awareness of the state's workplace safety consultation program.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires June 30, 2021.
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Sec. 2. new text begin FARM SAFETY; DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $100,000 in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of agriculture for the purposes specified below:
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new text begin (1) $50,000 to award, in consultation with the Farm Safety Working Group, grants to
support farm safety programs administered by allied industries and organizations, giving
preference to applicants that match state grants at least dollar-for-dollar; and
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new text begin (2) $50,000 to promote current safety training programs and to address farm safety in
youth education.
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Sec. 3. new text begin FARM SAFETY; UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $150,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the
general fund to the Regents of the University of Minnesota to reestablish the farm safety
extension position in order to measurably improve farm safety throughout the state and to
act as a key link between academia, industry, government, and the agricultural community.
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