STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE FINANCE
Chair, Representative Jean Wagenius
MINUTES
Representative Wagenius, Chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Finance, called the meeting to order at 8:16 a.m., Thursday, February 28th, 2013 in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Wagenius, Chair
Falk, Vice Chair
McNamara, Lead
Anderson, P.
Benson, J.
Bly
Clark
Dill
Erickson, R.
Fabian
Freiberg
Hackbarth
Hamilton
Hansen
Kahn
Kiel
Poppe
Torkelson
Ward, JoAnn
A quorum was present
Representative Hamilton addressed the Committee about Mitochondrial Disease and announced "jeans for genes" day, as an effort to increase awareness of these diseases.
Jim Boerboom, Deputy Commissioner - Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) introduced himself for the record and informed the Committee of the Department's agenda for the day. Mr. Boerboom then introduced Matt Wohlman, Assistant Commissioner with the MDA.
Matt Wohlman, Assistant Commissioner - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, gave a presentation on Minnesota's Agriculture Water Quality Certification program.
Greta Gauthier, Government Relations Director - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced herself for the record and answered questions from members of the Committee throughout the meeting.
Representative Falk moved approval of the committee meeting minutes for Feb 26th. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.
Su Ye, Chief Economist - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced herself for the record and presented an overview on Minnesota Agriculture - commodities and exports.
The meeting recessed at 9:46 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 5:00 p.m.
Steve Ernest, Director, Finance and Budget - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and presented an overview of the MDA budget.
Geir Friisoe, Director, Plant Protection Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and assisted in answering questions for members of the Committee.
Greg Buzicky, Director, Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of MDA pesticide and fertilizer management.
Bruce Montgomery, Research Scientist - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and assisted in answering questions for members of the Committee.
Adam Birr, Research Scientist - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and assisted in answering questions for members of the Committee.
Dr. Heidi Kassenborg, Director, Dairy and Food Inspection Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced herself for the record and gave an overview of the MDA Dairy and Food Inspection Division.
Geir Friisoe, Director, Plant Protection Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, re-introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of the MDA Plant Protection Division.
Gary Horvath, Director, Laboratories Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of the MDA Laboratories Division.
Dr. Mary Hanks, Director, Agriculture Marketing and Development Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced herself for the record and gave an overview of the MDA Agricultural Marketing and Development Division.
Vice-Chair Falk assumed the gavel at 7:17 p.m.
Charlie Poster, Assistant Commissioner - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of the AGRI (Agricultural Growth Research and Innovation) program.
Steve Ernest, Director, Finance and Budget - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, re- introduced himself for the record, and gave an overview of MDA Grants and Assistance expenditures.
Gary Horvath, Director, Laboratories Initiative - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, re-introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of the Governor's FY 14-15 initiatives for the MDA Laboratories Services Division.
Joe Spitzmueller, Manager, Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of the MDA Commercial Waste Applicators Regulation.
Dan Stoddard, Assistant Director, Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, introduced himself for the record and presented the MDA Clean Water Fund proposals for FY 14-15.
Jim Boerboom, Deputy Commissioner - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, assisted with answering questions for the Committee.
Dan Skogen, Director, Planning and Government Relations - Agricultural and Utilization Research Institute (AURI), introduced himself for the record and presented an overview of AURI.
Bill Petrich, President - Suntava, introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of his company and products - a natural, corn-based, food colorant.
Doug Ruth, Founder - EarthClean Corporation, introduced himself for the record and gave an overview of his company and product - a cornstarch based fire retardant.
Greta Gauthier, Government Relations Director - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, re-introduced herself for the record and then introduced Dr. Bill Hartman of the Board of Animal Health.
Dr. Bill Hartman, Executive Director - Board of Animal Health, presented an overview on the MN Board of Animal Health.
Questions from members of the Committee were answered by the presenters over the course of the presentations.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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Representative Jean Wagenius, Chair
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Nanette Moloney, Committee Legislative Assistant