FIRST JOINT MEETING - ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE & POLICY COMMITTEE

STATE OF MINNESOTA FIRST JOINT MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SECOND SESSION

AGRICULTURE FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE & POLICY COMMITTEE
Joint Hearing on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) efforts in Minnesota

Representative Mike Sundin, Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the virtual meeting of the joint committees to order at 8:31 A.M. on Friday, February 5, 2021, pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting was broadcast via Zoom and House Public Information Services.

The Committee Legislative Assistants noted the roll. A quorum was present.

Members present:
SUNDIN, Mike (Chair)
HANSEN, Rick (Chair)
VANG, Samantha (Vice Chair)
WAZLAWIK, Ami (Vice Chair)
ANDERSON, Paul (Republican Lead)
HEINTZEMAN, Josh (Republican Lead)
ACOMB, Patty
AKLAND, Susan
BACKER, Jeff
BECKER-FINN, Jamie
BURKEL, John
ECKLUND, Rob
FISCHER, Peter
GREEN, Steve
HANSON, Jessica
IGO, Spencer
JORDAN, Sydney
LEE, Fue
LIPPERT, Todd
LUECK, Dale
MILLER, Tim
MORRISON, Kelly
NELSON, Nathan
THOMPSON, John

Members excused:
KEELER, Heather
KLEVORN, Ginny
THEIS, Tama


EAB overview from Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Natural Resources and MN Pollution Control Agency
• Mark Abrahamson, MDA, Plant Protection Division Director
• Amy Kay Kerber, DNR, Forestry Legislative Affairs and Outreach Supervisor
• David Benke, MPCA, Director, Resource Management and Assistance Division

Presentation from Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee
• Karen Zumach, Director of Community Forestry

EAB research presentation from the University of Minnesota MN Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center
• Rob Venette, USDA Forest Service & MITPPC Director

Presentation on Wood Waste
• Ken Smith, District Energy

Agency officials and organizations responded to member questions throughout the meeting.

Representative Hansen adjourned the meeting at 10:08 A.M.



_______________________________
Representative Mike Sundin, Chair


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Representative Rick Hansen, Chair


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Kyle Smith, Committee Legislative Assistant


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Adam Kopel, Committee Legislative Assistant