STATE OF MINNESOTA NINTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
AGRICULTURE, RURAL ECONOMIES AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Otremba, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:17 P.M. on, February 19, 2007, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
OTREMBA, Chair HEIDGERKEN
FAUST, Vice-Chair HOSCH
HAMILTON, Republican Lead JUHNKE
BROWN MORROW
DOTY SHIMANSKI
EKEN URDAHL
FINSTAD
A quorum was present.
Rep. Urdahl moved approval of the minutes from February 14, 2007.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE ADOPTED.
Representative Faust moved HF 151 (see language at:http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf0151.1.pdf) be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resource Committee.
Representative Faust moved amendment HO151DE2.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative DeLaForest and Representative Hosch explained HF 151 Conservation Reserve Program; Congress memorialized to reauthorize the Conservation Reserve Program as part of the 2007 farm bill.
Speaking in favor of HF 151 were the following:
Mr. Joe Duggen, Pheasants Forever
Representative Faust renewed his motion that HF 151 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resource.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Eken moved HF 402 (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf0402.1.pdf) be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
Representative Eken moved to verbally amend HF 402 as follows:
Page 1, Line 9 after "pesticide" insert "for hire".
Page 1, Line 10, delete "of a" and insert “with"; delete “representative" and insert “representatives".
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Hansen explained HF402 Residential microbial pesticide applicator licensure study required.
Speaking in favor of HF 402 were the following:
Ms. Nancy Johnson, had home re-roofed and has been working with Homeowner Advocacy group, explained how HF 402 would help someone in her situation.
Ms. Nancy Emerson, spent a couple years with the Homeowners Advocacy group over a mold issue.
Mr. Greg Buzicky, Department of Agriculture spoke to the cost of the study.
Representative Eken renewed his motion that HF 402 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Eken moved HF 589 (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf0589.1.pdf) be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Bio Science and Emerging Technology.
Representative Eken moved amendment HO589DE2.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Aaron Peterson explained HF 589 Bioenergy producer payment program established for cellulosic bio fuel production, bio energy production incentive program and working lands conservation program created, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
Speaking in favor of HF 589 were the following:
Mr. Don Arnosti, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and Ms. Diane Jensen, Minnesota Project, Clean Energy Minnesota
Mr. Tom Kalahar, Renville County Soil and Water Conservation District
Mr. Jim Falk, Farmer and Native Seed dealer, Land Stewardship Project, Clean up the River Environment
Mr. Paul Kramer, Koda Energy
Mr. Gary Botzek, Minnesota Conservation Federation and Minnesota Audubon
Mr. Thom Petersen, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Farmer's Union
Representative Eken renewed his motion that HF 589 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Bio Science and Emerging Technology.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Otremba referred the following bills to the Veteran Affairs Division:
HF 300 (Haws) Military pay tax deduction expanded, and military pension subtraction including survivor benefits created.
HF 390 (Rukavina) Disabled veteran or surviving spouse homestead property tax exemption provided.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:56 P.M.
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REP. MARY ELLEN OTREMBA, Chair
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Mary M. Larson, Committee Legislative Assistant