THIRTIETH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTIETH 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, February 16, 2022, 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

Excused:
THOMPSON, John

Rep. Miller moved to approve adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion prevailed. The minutes from the February 14, 2022 meeting were adopted.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture provided an update on Rural Finance Authority loan programs.

Testifying:
Matt McDevitt, Ag Finance Supervisor, Finance & Budget, MDA

HF 3081 (Swedzinski) Appropriating money to expedite Rural Finance Authority loan processing.

Rep. Lueck moved that HF 3081 to be laid over for future consideration.

Testifying:
Alexa Swedzinski
Brent Kelsey, Compeer Financial
Stu Lourey, Minnesota Farmers Union
Amber Glaeser, MN Farm Bureau

Chair Sundin laid over HF 3081.

Chair Sundin passed the virtual gavel and Vice Chair Vang assumed the Chair at 1:25 P.M.

HF 3420 (Sundin) Appropriating money for grants and financial assistance to livestock farmers and crop producers impacted by drought; appropriating money to the Rural Finance Authority revolving loan account for drought relief.

Rep. Sundin moved that HF 3420 be recommended to be referred to the Committee on Ways & Means.

Rep. Sundin moved the H3420DE1 amendment and explained it to the committee.

Testifying:
Thom Petersen, Commissioner, MN Dept. of Agriculture
Stu Lourey, MN Farmers Union
Liz Dwyer, Dancing the Land Farm, Clearwater
Miles Kuschel, Cass County rancher
Krist Wollum, Legislative Committee Chair, MN Cattlemen's Association

Rep. Hansen, R. moved the amendment coded H3420A5 and explained it. The motion prevailed. The A5 amendment to the DE1 amendment was adopted.

Rep. Anderson moved the amendment coded H3420A7. The motion prevailed. The A7 amendment to the DE1 was adopted.

Rep. Anderson moved the amendment coded H3420A8. The motion did not prevail. The A8 amendment was not adopted.

Vice Chair Vang moved the DE1 amendment, as amended. The motion prevailed. The amendment was adopted.

Rep. Sundin renewed his motion that HF 3420, as amended, be recommended to be referred to the Committee on Ways & Means.

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

There being 12 ayes and 0 nays, the motion prevailed. HF 3420, as amended, was referred with recommendation to the Committee on Ways & Means.

Vice Chair Vang passed the virtual gavel and Chair Sundin reassumed the Chair at 2:18 P.M.

Chair Sundin adjourned the meeting at 2:19 P.M.





_______________________________
Representative Mike Sundin, Chair




_______________________________
Kyle Smith, Committee Legislative Assistant