STATE OF MINNESOTA ELEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETIETH SESSION
AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Paul Anderson, Chair of the Agriculture Policy Committee, called the meeting of the Agriculture Policy Committee to order at 10:16 AM on February 22nd, 2017, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ANDERSON, Paul, Chair
BACKER, Jeff Vice Chair
BENNETT, Peggy
BLY, David
DANIELS, Brian
JOHNSON, Clark
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary
LUECK, Dale
MAHONEY, Tim
MILLER, Tim
NORNES, Bud
PIERSON, Nels
POPPE, Jeanne
POSTON, John
SAUKE, Duane
Members excused:
MARIANI, Carlos
Representative Anderson called the meeting to order at 10:156AM. A quorum was present.
Representative Sauke moved that the minutes of February 21, 2017 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF0124 (Swedzinski) Road authorities prohibited from establishing requirements and permits that govern mowing.
Representative Miller moved that HF124 be re-referred to the general register.
Representative Miller moved to adopt the H0124A4 amendment.
Representative Miller renewed his motion to adopt the H0124A4 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED AND THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying on HF124:
Representative Swedzinski
Cole Rupprecht, Associate Director, Minnesota Farm Bureau
Pat Verly, Farmer, Marshall MN
Thom Peterson, Government Relations Director, Minnesota Farmers Union
Scott Peterson, Government Affairs Director, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Don Arnosti, Conservation Chair, Izaak Walton League
Erin Rupp, Minnesota Honey Producer’s Association
Margot Monson
Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever
Representative Johnson Moved to adopt the H0124DE3 amendment.
Representative Johnson withdrew his motion.
Representative Miller renewed his motion that HF124 as amended be re-referred to the general register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Kunesh-Podein moved that the minutes of February 21, 2017 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF608 (Pierson) Agricultural asset sale or rental to beginning farmers income tax credit provided, credit for beginning farmer financial management programs provided, and Rural Finance Authority duties established.
Representative Pierson moved that HF608 be re-referred to the committee on Taxes.
Representative Bly moved the H0608A1 amendment.
Representative Bly renewed his motion to adopt the H0608A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying on HF608 as amended:
Andrew Barsness, Central Minnesota Young Farmers Coalition
Matthew Fitzgerald, Central Minnesota Young Farmers Coalition
Nolan Lenzen, Silver Shade Dairy
Representative Pierson renewed his motion that HF608 be re-referred to the committee on Taxes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF0636 (Poston) Agricultural homestead land farmed by a beginning farmer allowed to continue to qualify for homestead clarification.
Representative Poston moved that HF636 be re-referred to the committee on Property Tax and Local Government Finance Division.
Testifying on HF636:
Cole Rupprecht, Associate Director, Minnesota Farm Bureau
Thom Peterson, Government Relations Director, Minnesota Farmers Union
Representative Poston renewed his motion that HF636 be re-referred to the committee on Property Tax and Local Government Finance Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Backer assumed the gavel at 11:47 a.m.
HF0485 (Anderson, P.) Agricultural educator grant program established, and money appropriated.
Representative Anderson moved that HF485 be re-referred to the committee on Education Innovation Policy.
Testifying on HF485:
Tom Appel, Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators.
Representative Anderson renewed his motion that HF485 be re-referred to the committee on Education Innovation Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m.
Representative Jeff Backer, Vice-Chair
Tyler Webster, Committee Legislative Assistant