1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; establishing a grant program for certain beef producers; 
1.3 	appropriating money;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. [17.121] STEERING AHEAD GRANT PROGRAM.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this 
1.8 	section.
1.9 	(b) "Qualifying expenditure" means an expenditure to acquire beef cattle breeding 
1.10 	stock or capital equipment employed to raise beef cattle or transport them to market, 
1.11 	including, but not limited to, fencing, manure management equipment and systems, and 
1.12 	cattle trailers.
1.13 	(c) "Zone" means a split state zone designated by the United States Department of 
1.14 	Agriculture as modified accredited or accreditation preparatory for bovine tuberculosis.
1.15 		Subd. 2.Purpose. Recognizing the burdens imposed on cattle producers by a 
1.16 	downgraded bovine tuberculosis status and the importance of the livestock industry to this 
1.17 	state's heritage and economy, the purpose of the steering ahead grant program is to achieve 
1.18 	no net loss in the number of beef cattle raised in the zone.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Grants. The commissioner may award a grant to a person eligible under 
1.20 	subdivision 4. The commissioner may award multiple grants to a person over the life of the 
1.21 	program as long as the cumulative amount awarded to a person does not exceed $20,000.
1.22 		Subd. 4.Eligibility. To be eligible for a grant, a person must:
1.23 	(1) be the principal operator of a beef cattle operation located wholly or partially 
1.24 	within the zone or a person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner the 
2.1 	intention to start a new or acquire an existing beef cattle operation located wholly or 
2.2 	partially within the zone;
2.3 	(2) be a resident of Minnesota or an entity authorized to farm in this state under 
2.4 	section 500.24, subdivision 3; and
2.5 	(3) make a qualifying expenditure and apply to the commissioner on forms 
2.6 	prescribed by the commissioner including a statement of qualifying expenditures along 
2.7 	with any proof or other documentation the commissioner may require.
2.8 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires five years after the United States 
2.9 	Department of Agriculture publishes notice in the Federal Register that the entire state 
2.10 	has achieved a bovine tuberculosis status of modified accredited advanced or accredited 
2.11 	free, whichever comes first.

2.12 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.13 	$....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the commissioner 
2.14 	of agriculture for the steering ahead grant program in Minnesota Statutes, section 17.121.