STATE OF MINNESOTA SIXTEENTH 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 2.19 P.M. on, March 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. Doty moved approval of the minutes from March 14, 2007.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE ADOPTED.
Representative Faust moved HF 589, (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf0589.1.pdf) the second engrossment be recommended to pass and re-referred to Committee on Finance.
Representative Peterson, A. explained HF 589, the second engrossment relating to agriculture; bioenergy development; establishing a bioenergy producer payment program for cellulosic biofuel production; establishing a bioenergy production incentive program; establishing a bioenergy working lands conservation program; authorizing rulemaking; authorizing general obligation bond; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes.
Mr. Don Arnosti, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, testified in favor of HF 589.
Representative Faust renewed his motion that HF 589, the second engrossment be recommended to pass and re-referred to Committee on Finance
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Faust moved HF 1639, (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf1639.1.pdf) be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register
Representative Faust explained HF 1639, relating to agriculture; changing certain provisions of the best management practices loan program.
Mr. Paul Burns, Minnesota Department of Agriculture gave the committee background on HF 1639.
Representative Faust renewed his motion that HF 1639, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Faust moved HF 1640, (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf1640.1.pdf) be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register
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Representative Faust explained HF 1640 relating to agriculture; changing certain feed law provisions; expanding applicability of certain penalties.
Mr. Kevin Elfering, Inspector of Food and Dairy division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture provided the committee with additional information.
Representative Faust renewed his motion that HF 1640 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Faust moved HF 666, (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf0666.1.pdf) be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
Representative Welti explained HF 666 relating to agriculture; establishing a dairy animal revolving loan program; appropriating money.
Representative Faust moved amendment
H0666DE1.
THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Mr. Tom Anderson, Farm Business Management, Riverland Community College, Plainview, Minnesota spoke in favor of HF 666.
Representative Faust renewed his motion that HF 666 be recommended to pass as amended and re-referred to Committee on Finance.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Juhnke moved HF 1743, (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf1743.1.pdf) to be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance.
Representative Juhnke explained HF 1743, relating to agriculture; changing noxious weed eradication requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes.
Mr. Dennis Berg, Anoka County Commissioner explained to the committee why it is important to pass HF 1743.
Ms. Susan Shaw, Vice-chair and Mr. Peter Shutrop, Vice-chair with the Minnesota Association of County Agricultural inspectors spoke to HF 1743 and shared their concerns with the committee.
Representative Juhnke recommended the HF 1743 be laid over
Chair moved HF 1743 be laid over.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Faust moved HF 1787, (see language at: http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS85/hf1787.1.pdf) be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register.
Representative Welti explained HF 1787, relating to agriculture; changing certain agricultural chemical incident provisions; eliminating a fee.
Mr. Paul Strandberg, Project Manager, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Representative Faust renewed his motion that HF 1787 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
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The meeting was adjourned at 3:52 P.M.
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REP. MARY ELLEN OTREMBA, Chair
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Mary M. Larson, Committee Legislative Assistant