Dear Neighbor,
It is a busy time for the Ag Policy Committee which I chair, with bills pertaining to everything from ditch mowing to ag education, farmer-lender mediation and a whole lot more on the agenda.
The committee this week approved a bill bill (H.F. 124) which prohibits road authorities from regulating when ditches may or may not be mowed and also prevents requiring permits to be obtained for mowing. The intent of the bill is to protect Minnesota landowners after MnDOT recently changed its statewide permitting standards for mowing and baling in the right of way. Citizens are concerned the changes add unnecessary regulatory burdens on property owners, changing the way some families have managed their land for decades.
Another bill which passed the committee is legislation I have authored to extend summer contracts for FFA/ag instructors. This is a continuation of previous legislation I was successful in bringing to enactment. Reports show 43 Minnesota schools took advantage of the program last year, partnering with the state on a 1:1 match to enhance their ag education opportunities.
Next week Ag Policy is scheduled to hear a bill I have authored to update the minimum debt amount for participation in the state’s Farmer-Lender Mediation Act. The minimum amount has remained the same since the program was established in 1986, so this change simply brings things in line with today’s dollar.
As for work on the House floor, on Monday a bill passed that would allow for the Sunday sales of liquor, beer and wine in Minnesota. I voted against Sunday sales this year, like I have every other time it's come up, because I don't think it's necessary. All the off-sale owners in the district that I've talked with are strongly against it. They say sales will not increase in proportion to the number of additional hours they will be open. And ,if sales were to increase significantly, that means more alcohol consumption by the public, and I don't think that's necessarily a good thing, either. In any case, the bill is now in the hands of the Senate.
The full House also is set to take up a bill this evening that would allow Minnesotans to obtain an ID which complies with increased federal standards for such purposes as boarding an airplane. This is a bill that needs to be done, with Minnesota remaining as one of only a few states still out of compliance as the January deadline approaches.
The goal throughout the process has been to make the best of the situation the federal government handed us. The House bill accomplishes that by providing two options. People who want a Real ID-compliant card may receive one, while those who would rather continue using the standard version we have now could choose to do that.
Lastly, just want to remind folks Sen. Torrey Westrom and I will be hosting a series of town hall meetings tomorrow where we can discuss these and other issues. I hope you can join us and here’s the schedule once again:
Friday, Feb. 24
- Glenwood: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.; Community Room - Pope County Courthouse/Government Center (130 E. Minnesota Ave.)
- Sauk Centre: 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.; City Council Chambers, City Hall (320 Oak St. S.)
- Melrose: 12:15 – 1 p.m.; Meeting Room A, Melrose City Center (225 1st St. N.E.)
Sincerely,
Paul