1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; codifying a farm safety working group; appropriating money 
1.3 	for farm safety initiatives;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.4 	chapter 17.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [17.112] FARM SAFETY WORKING GROUP.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The Farm Safety Working Group is established to advise 
1.8 	the commissioner and the legislature on farm safety issues and to perform the other duties 
1.9 	specified in this section.
1.10 		Subd. 2.Membership; appointments; compensation. (a) The Farm Safety Working 
1.11 	Group consists of:
1.12 	(1) the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as 
1.13 	the chair;
1.14 	(2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
1.15 	(3) the commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee;
1.16 	(4) a representative of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities;
1.17 	(5) a representative of University of Minnesota Extension;
1.18 	(6) a representative of the University of Minnesota's Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety 
1.19 	and Health Center;
1.20 	(7) a representative of Minnesota Farm Bureau;
1.21 	(8) a representative of Minnesota Farmers Union;
2.1 	(9) a representative of the Minnesota Safety Council;
2.2 	(10) a representative of the Minnesota-South Dakota Equipment Dealers Association;
2.3 	(11) a representative of the Minnesota Agriculture Education Leadership Council;
2.4 	(12) a representative of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs;
2.5 	(13) a representative of the Latino Economic Development Center; and
2.6 	(14) three citizen members appointed by the commissioner.
2.7 	(b) Members in paragraph (a), clauses (4) to (13), must be appointed by the specified 
2.8 	organization and serve at the pleasure of the organization. Members appointed by the 
2.9 	commissioner serve two-year terms.
2.10 	(c) Members must serve without compensation.
2.11 		Subd. 3.Meetings; staff. The commissioner shall convene meetings as appropriate and 
2.12 	provide staff to support the working group.
2.13 		Subd. 4.Duties. The working group must serve as a forum to discuss farm safety issues 
2.14 	and organize a collective effort to improve farm safety in this state. The working group also 
2.15 	must:
2.16 	(1) coordinate the work and resources of member organizations;
2.17 	(2) monitor the impact of farm safety initiatives in Minnesota;
2.18 	(3) explore the feasibility and desirability of creating a farm safety certification program 
2.19 	to recognize farmers who participate in safety programs and meet safety standards, and 
2.20 	identify appropriate financial incentives for participating farmers; and
2.21 	(4) increase farmer awareness of the state's workplace safety consultation program.
2.22 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2021.

2.23 	Sec. 2. FARM SAFETY; DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION.
 2.24 	$100,000 in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.25 	of agriculture for the purposes specified below:
2.26 	(1) $50,000 to award, in consultation with the Farm Safety Working Group, grants to 
2.27 	support farm safety programs administered by allied industries and organizations, giving 
2.28 	preference to applicants that match state grants at least dollar-for-dollar; and
2.29 	(2) $50,000 to promote current safety training programs and to address farm safety in 
2.30 	youth education.

3.1 	Sec. 3. FARM SAFETY; UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA APPROPRIATION.
 3.2 	$150,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the 
3.3 	general fund to the Regents of the University of Minnesota to reestablish the farm safety 
3.4 	extension position in order to measurably improve farm safety throughout the state and to 
3.5 	act as a key link between academia, industry, government, and the agricultural community.