TWENTY-FIRST MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIRST 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 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 24, 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. Vang moved to approve adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion prevailed. The minutes from the March 22, 2021 meeting were adopted.

HF 600 (Winkler) Cannabis; Cannabis Management Board and advisory councils established; business licensing, inspection, and regulation provided; testing and labeling of cannabis and related products required; grant and loan programs established; and money appropriated. (Sections related to the Agriculture bill)

Rep. Vang moved that HF 600, third engrossment, be recommended to be referred to the Environment & Natural Resources Finance and Policy committee.

Rep. Vang moved the A13 amendment. The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.

Rep. Winkler presented HF 600 and described the portions of the bill related to the jurisdiction of the Agriculture Committee.

Testifying:
Judson (Kim) Bemis, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Minnesota
Charles Levine, Hemp Acres
Angela Dawson, 40-Acre Cooperative
Jim Erickson, MN Hemp Growers Cooperative
Michael Chaney, Project Sweetie Pie

Assistant Commissioner Whitney Place responded to member questions on behalf of MDA.

Rep. Vang renewed her motion that HF 600, third engrossment, as amended, be recommended to be referred to the Environment & Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee.

AYES:
SUNDIN
VANG
ECKLUND
HANSEN, R.
HANSON, J.
KLEVORN
LIPPERT
THOMPSON

NAYS:
ANDERSON
BURKEL
LUECK
MILLER
NELSON

There being 8 ayes and 5 nays, the motion prevailed.

HF 2147 (Anderson) County agricultural inspector grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

Rep. Anderson moved that HF 2147 be laid for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

Testifying:
Joseph Enfield- CHMM, CAI, Lead Environmentalist, Carver County Public Services Division

Rep. Anderson renewed his motion that HF 2147 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill. HF 2147 was laid over.

HF 2298 (Vang) Establishing an emerging farmer account; funding an emerging farmer office and outreach coordinator; appropriating money for emerging farmer grants; transferring money; requiring reports.

Rep. Vang moved that HF 2298 laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill.

Testifying:
Janssen Hang, Executive Director with the Hmong American Farmers Association
Henry Jimenez, Executive Director, Latino Economic Development Center
Dayna Burtness, LSP Member, Houston County Pastured Hog Farmer

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

Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey responded to member questions on behalf of MDA.

Rep. Vang renewed her motion that HF 2298, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Agriculture Finance bill. HF 2298 was laid over.

MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen provided an update on the Governor’s revised budget recommendations and an update on federal recovery funding.


Chair Sundin adjourned the meeting at 2:28 P.M.






_______________________________
Representative Mike Sundin, Chair





_______________________________
Kyle Smith, Committee Legislative Assistant