STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
AGRICULTURE, RURAL ECONOMIES AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Otremba, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 2:20 P.M. on, February 18, 2008, in Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
OTREMBA, Chair FINSTAD
FAUST, Vice-Chair HOSCH
HAMILTON, Republican Lead JUHNKE
BROWN MORROW
DOTY SHIMANSKI
DRAZKOWSKI URDAHL
EKEN
A quorum was present.
Rep. Doty moved approval of the minutes from March 21, 2007.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE ADOPTED.
Representative Juhnke moved HF2942, be recommended to pass and re-referred to Finance Committee.
Representative Juhnke moved to amend HF 2942, as follows:
Page 1, line 15, after, "bison," insert, "sheep"
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Juhnke explained HF 2942, relating to agriculture; creating a livestock investment grant program; appropriating money; to the committee.
Speaking in favor of HF 2942 were:
Quinn Cheney, Policy Director, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Thom Petersen, Legislative Director, Minnesota Farmers Union
Bob Lefebvre, Executive Director, Minnesota Milk Producers Association
Randy Pepin, Educator, University of Minnesota Extension, Todd County
Kevin Paap, President, Minnesota Farm Bureau
Representative Juhnke renewed his motion that HF 2942 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to Finance Committee.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Urdahl moved HF 2631, be recommended to pass and re-referred to Finance Committee.
Representative Urdahl moved Amendment
H2631DE1
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Urdahl explained HF 2631, relating to agriculture; providing for dairy investment matching grants; appropriating money;
Representative Urdahl renewed his motion that HF 2631 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to Committee on Finance.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Junhke moved HF 2987 be recommended to pass and re-referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Representative Juhnke moved Amendment
H2987DE1.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Juhnke explained, HF 2987, relating to motor fuels; modifying definition of biodiesel; increasing minimum biodiesel content; creating tiered biodiesel content goal; establishing B20 panel with authority to increase minimum content; requiring a proposal; appropriating money;
Speaking in favor of HF 2987:
Gene Hugoson, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Kristin Weeks-Duncanson, Chair, Biodiesel Task Force
Jerry Schoenfeld, Minnesota Soybean Growers, MN Biodiesel Council
Kevin Paap, President, Minnesota Farmers Bureau
Jeff Hamill, Vice President, Prairie Line Trucking, Shakopee, MN
John Hausladen , President, Minnesota Trucking Association
Diane Schmidt, Governmental Relations, Flint Hills Resources, Rosemount, MN
Representative Juhnke renewed his motion that HF 2987 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:53 P.M.
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REP. MARY ELLEN OTREMBA, Chair
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Mary M. Larson, Committee Legislative Assistant