STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Anderson, Chair of the Agriculture Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m. on March 22, 2016 in Hearing Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ANDERSON, Paul, Chair
FRANSON, Mary, VC
ALLEN, Susan
ANDERSON, Mark
BACKER, Jeff
BLY, David
HAMILTON, Rod
JOHNSON, Clark
LUECK, Dale
MARIANI, Carlos
MARQUART, Paul
NORNES, Bud
POPPE, Jeanne
RARICK, Jason
SCHOMACKER, Joe
SCHULTZ, Jennifer
Chair Anderson started the meeting at 10:17 a.m. A quorum was present.
Rep. Anderson, M. moved to approve the minutes from March 25, 2015, April, 16, 2015, September 8, 2015 and March 17, 2016. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Marc Knisley, CEO United FCS, Paul Kohls, General Counsel AgStar Financial, and Jessica Fyre, General Counsel AgCountry Financial, presented a report on farm credit lenders and a general economic outlook.
HF2974 Temporary or seasonal agricultural workers with H-2A visa exempted from overtime requirements
Rep. Nornes moved that HF2974 be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance.
Testifying on HF2974, Rep. McDonald, Peter Coyle, Minnesota Growers Coalition, Jerry Unteidt, Farmer, John Jacobson, Farmer, Doug Busselman, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Bernie Hesse, United food and Commercial Workers, Ken Peterson, Commissioner Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Rep. Nornes renewed his motion that HF2974, be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Vice Chair Franson, assumed the gavel at 11:12 a.m.
HF 3231 Agriculture provisions policy and technical changes made
Chair Anderson, moved HF2974.
Testifying on HF3231, Whitney Place, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Todd Leyse, president of the Minnesota Pest Management Association, Matt Wohlman, Assistant Commissioner Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
HF2974 was laid over.
Chair Anderson assumed the gavel at 11:30 a.m.
HF2771 Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force extended, consultation of the Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force by the agriculture commissioner and recommendations to the legislature required.
Rep. Bly moved that HF2771, be re-referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections Policy.
Testifying on HF2771, Rep. Bly.
Rep. Bly renewed his motion that HF2771, be re-referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Election Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF2881 Working lands watershed restoration program to incentivize growth of perennial crops established and money appropriated
Rep. Johnson, moved that HF 2881 be re-referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance.
Rep. Johnson moved the H2881A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifying on HF2881 as amended, Rep. Johnson, Amanda Bilek, Great Plains Institute.
Rep. Johnson renewed his motion that HF2881 as amended be re-referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The committee was adjourned at 11:58 a.m.
Representative Paul Anderson, Chair
Tyler Webster, Committee Legislative Assistant