Minnesota Session Laws - 1997, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 142-H.F.No. 1863 
                  An act relating to agriculture; establishing task 
                  force to make recommendations on modifications to the 
                  agricultural marketing and bargaining law. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  [AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND BARGAINING TASK 
        FORCE.] 
           (a) The commissioner of agriculture shall establish an 
        advisory task force to make recommendations on modifications to 
        the agricultural marketing and bargaining law under Minnesota 
        Statutes, sections 17.691 to 17.701.  The task force must 
        include recommendations on a system to resolve disputes between 
        an accredited grower's association and a canning processor. 
           (b) The advisory task force shall be composed of: 
           (1) two representatives of accredited agricultural producer 
        associations; 
           (2) one representative of a statewide farm organization; 
           (3) one representative of a statewide association 
        representing growers and processors; 
           (4) four representatives of the food processing industry; 
           (5) one representative of a potato growers association; 
           (6) one representative with education and experience in 
        mediation and arbitration; 
           (7) one representative of the department of trade and 
        economic development; 
           (8) one representative from a higher education institution 
        with education and experience in agricultural economics; and 
           (9) one representative of the commissioner of agriculture 
        who will chair the task force. 
           (c) The commissioner shall coordinate the meetings of the 
        advisory task force, provide staff support, and participate in 
        the advisory task force meetings.  Citizen members of the task 
        force may be reimbursed for expenses as provided in Minnesota 
        Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6. 
           (d) The commissioner shall prepare and submit a written 
        report with recommendations for the legislature to the senate 
        committee on agriculture and rural development and the house 
        committee on agriculture by December 15, 1997. 
           (e) The task force expires June 30, 1998. 
           Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment. 
           Presented to the governor May 12, 1997 
           Signed by the governor May 13, 1997, 10:10 a.m.