STATE OF MINNESOTA TWELFTH 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 10:15 AM on February 28th, 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
JOHNSON, Clark
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary
LUECK, Dale
MAHONEY, Tim
MARIANI, Carlos
MILLER, Tim
NORNES, Bud
PIERSON, Nels
POPPE, Jeanne
POSTON, John
SAUKE, Duane
Members excused:
DANIELS, Brian
Representative Anderson called the meeting to order at 10:15 AM. A quorum was present.
Representative Sauke moved that the minutes of February 27, 2017 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Overview of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farmer Lender Mediation Report.
Testifying:
Dave Fredrickson, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Vice Chair Backer assumed the gavel at 10:25 a.m.
HF1511 (Anderson, P.) Farmer-Lender Mediation Act modified, and minimum debt amount increased.
Representative Anderson moved that HF1511 be re-referred to the committee on Civil Law and Data Practices.
Testifying on HF1511
David Skilbred, Independent Community Bankers
Thom Petersen, Minnesota Farmers Union
Don Pylkkanen, MN COACT
Dave Fredrickson, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculuture
Brent Hales, Chief Financial Officer, University of Minnesota Extension
Representative Bly Moved the H1511A1 amendment.
Representative Bly renewed his motion on the H1511A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED AND THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Bly moved the H1511A2 amendment.
Representative Bly requested a roll call vote on the H1511A2 amendment. The results were as follows:
AYES
BLY, David
JOHNSON, Clark
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary
MAHONEY, Tim
MARIANI, Carlos
POPPE, Jeanne
SAUKE, Duane
NAYS
ANDERSON, Paul
BACKER, Jeff
BENNETT, Peggy
LUECK, Dale
MILLER, Tim
PIERSON, Nels
POSTON, John
There being 7 ayes and 7 nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL AND THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Anderson renewed his motion that HF1511 as amended be re-referred to the committee on Civil Law and Data Practices. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1221 (Anderson, P.) Nuisance liability protection for agricultural operations modified, farmer-neighbor mediation program established, and mediation for disputes with farming operations required.
Representative Anderson moved that HF1221 be re-referred to the committee on Civil Law and Data Practices.
Testifying on HF1221:
David Preisler, Minnesota Pork Producers
James Kanne, Land Stewardship Project
Stephen Carpenter, Farmers Legal Action Group
Joel Carlson, Minnesota Association for Justice
Sonja Trom-Ayres, Attorney
Amy Goodwin
Representative Backer laid over HF1221
Vice-Chair Backer recessed the committee at 12:01 p.m.
Chair Anderson resumed the meeting at 6:01 p.m. in the State Office Building Room 500 North.
HF1165 (Backer) Farmer financial eligibility conformed to the general poverty-based standard, and income limit removed.
Representative Backer that HF1165 be re-referred to the committee on Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance.
Representative Backer moved to adopt the H1165A1 amendment.
Representative Backer renewed his motion to adopt the H1165A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Backer renewed his motion that HF1165 as amended be re-referred to the committee on Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF0199 (Anderson, P.) Adjacent Landowner notification required when noxious weed presence is confirmed.
Representative Anderson moved that HF199 as amended be re-referred to the committee on Agriculture Finance.
Representative Anderson moved to adopt the H0199DE1 amendment.
Representative Anderson renewed his motion to adopt the H0199DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED AND THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Anderson renewed his motion that HF199 as amended be re-referred to committee on Agriculture Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF0983 (Anderson, P.) Feeder’s lien modified to clarify eligibility of those who furnish feed to a livestock producer, and livestock production input lien and temporary livestock production input lien eliminated
Representative Anderson moved HF983 be laid over for possible inclusion.
Testifying on HF983:
Bob Zelenka, Minnesota Grain and Feed Association’
Brad Stenzel
John Apitz, Farm Credit Services
David Skilbred, Independent Community Bankers
Jim Girard, Minnesota Bankers Association
Representative Anderson laid over HF983
HF1545(Hamilton) Food Safety and Defense Task force extended, and animal definition modified.
Representative Anderson moved that HF1545 be re-referred to the committee on Government Operations and Elections Policy.
Testifying on HF1545:
Whitney Place, Government Affairs Director, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Represenative Anderson renewed his motion that HF1545 be re-referred to the committee on Government Operations and Elections Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF1221 (Anderson, P.) Nuisance liability protection for agricultural operations modified, farmer-neighbor mediation program established, and mediation for disputes with farming operations required.
Representative Anderson moved that HF1221 be re-referred to the committee on Civil Law and Data Practices.
Testifying on HF1221:
Sonja Trom Ayres
Jerry Schoenfeld, Minnesota Pork Producers
Dave Priesler, Minnesota Pork Producers
Joel Carlson, Minnesota Association for Justice
Representative Miller recessed the committee at 7:24 p.m.
Vice Chair Backer resumed the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
Representative Anderson renewed his motion that HF1221 be re-referred to the committee on Civil Law and Data Practices.
Representative Bly requested a roll call vote on HF1221. The results were as follows:
AYES
ANDERSON, Paul
BACKER, Jeff
BENNETT, Peggy
LUECK, Dale
MILLER, Tim
NORNES, Bud
PIERSON, Nels
POSTON, John
NAYS
BLY, David
JOHNSON, Clark
KUNESH-PODEIN, Mary
MAHONEY, Tim
POPPE, Jeanne
SAUKE, Duane
There being 8 ayes and 6 nays, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Representative Jeff Backer, Vice-Chair
Tyler Webster, Committee Legislative Assistant