1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money for soil health grants that enable 
1.3 	farmers in the Karst region to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; SOIL HEALTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 
1.6 	GRANTS; KARST REGION NITROGEN FERTILIZER REDUCTION.
 1.7 	(a) $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.8 	of agriculture for soil health financial assistance grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 
1.9 	17.134, to eligible applicants located in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, 
1.10 	Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona County. The commissioner may award grants under this 
1.11 	appropriation only for projects that the commissioner reasonably anticipates will result in 
1.12 	a measurable decrease in the application of nitrogen fertilizer by:
1.13 	(1) increasing the usage of precision agricultural practices under Minnesota Statutes, 
1.14 	section 17.134, subdivision 2, clause (4); or
1.15 	(2) enabling purchases under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.134, subdivision 2, clause 
1.16 	(6), that further increase usage of precision agricultural practices.
1.17 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation. Amounts encumbered under contract by June 30, 
1.18 	2025, are available until June 30, 2027. This appropriation is in addition to the soil health 
1.19 	financial assistance program appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2, 
1.20 	subdivision 2, paragraph (b).