SEVENTEENTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SECOND SESSION
AGRICULTURE FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Representative Mike Sundin, Chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, called the virtual meeting to order at 1:46 P.M. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting was broadcast via Zoom and House Public Information Services.

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

Members present:
SUNDIN, Mike, CHAIR
VANG, Samantha, VICE CHAIR
ANDERSON, Paul, Minority Lead
BURKEL, John
ECKLUND, Rob
HANSEN, Rick
HANSON, Jessica
KLEVORN, Ginny
LIPPERT, Todd
LUECK, Dale
MILLER, Tim
NELSON, Nathan
THOMPSON, John


Rep. Nelson moved to approve adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion prevailed. The minutes from the March 8, 2021 meeting were adopted.

Chair Sundin passed the gavel and Vice Chair Vang assumed the Chair at 1:48 P.M.

HF 1898 (Sundin) MDA Policy Bill

Rep. Vang brought back HF 1898 before the committee and moved that HF 1898 be recommended to be placed on the General Register.

Rep. Sundin moved the A1 amendment and explained the amendment. The motion prevailed. The A1 amendment was adopted.

Rep. Sundin renewed the motion that HF 1898, as amended, be recommended to be placed on the General Register.

AYES:
SUNDIN
VANG
ANDERSON
BURKEL
ECKLUND
HANSEN, R.
HANSON, J.
KLEVORN
LIPPERT
LUECK
MILLER
NELSON
THOMPSON

NAYS:


There being 13 ayes and 0 nays, the motion prevailed.

Deputy Commissioner Andrea Vaubel provided an update from MDA on COVID19 vaccination efforts for agricultural workers.

Rep. Sundin reassumed the Chair at 2:02 P.M.

HF1687 (Vang) Agriculture cooperative grant program provided, and rulemaking authorized.

Rep. Vang moved that HF 1687 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

Rep. Vang moved the DE1 amendment and explained it. The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.

Testifying:
Ben Penner, Perennial Promise Growers Cooperative
Miah Ulysse, 40 Acre Co-op
Stu Lourey, Minnesota Farmers Union

Rep. Vang renewed her motion that HF 1687, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill. HF 1687 was laid over.

HF1543 (Thompson) COVID-19; commercial pesticide applicator licensing exemption provided for sanitizer and disinfectant use.

Rep. Thompson moved that HF 1543 be recommended to be placed on the General Register.

Rep. Thompson moved the A1 amendment. The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.

Testifying:
Whitney Place, Assistant Commissioner, MDA

Rep. Thompson renewed his motion that HF 1543, as amended, be recommended to be placed on the General Register.

AYES:
SUNDIN
VANG
ANDERSON
BURKEL
ECKLUND
HANSEN, R.
HANSON, J.
KLEVORN
LIPPERT
LUECK
MILLER
NELSON
THOMPSON

NAYS:


There being 13 ayes and 0 nays, the motion prevailed.

HF 1830 (Petersburg) Local food promotion and education event funding provided, and money appropriated.

Rep. Anderson moved that HF 1830 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

Testifying:
Pam Bishop, Vice President of Economic Development, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Jan Joannides, Executive Director of Renewing the Countryside

Rep. Anderson renewed his motion that HF 1830 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill. HF 1830 was laid over.

Rep. Vang assumed the Chair at 2:36 P.M.

HF 2037 (Sundin) Agricultural Utilization Research Institute meat scientist funding

Rep. Sundin moved that HF 2037 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

Testifying:
Shannon Schlecht, AURI Executive Director

Rep. Sundin renewed his motion that HF 2037 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill. HF 2037 was laid over.

Rep. Sundin reassumed the Chair at 2:42 P.M

Chair Sundin adjourned the meeting at 2:42 P.M.





_______________________________
Representative Mike Sundin, Chair





_______________________________
Kyle Smith, Committee Legislative Assistant