Dear Neighbor,
We are working through the weekend to pass for the second time this session a package of bills to establish the state’s next two-year budget.
A finance package related to agriculture was the first bill to receive approval from the House on Saturday and it received overwhelming bipartisan support, 124-5. The bill features a heavy focus on plant habitat and health across our state. In particular, measures are in place to address emerging noxious weed threats (specifically palmer amaranth), and investment in the future of agricultural practices and technologies.
The bill not only includes finance provisions, but also has numerous policy provisions from the omnibus agriculture policy bill I authored as chairman of that House committee. A provision to update our lender mediation program is crucial and I am pleased to see that was included.
Here are some other highlights of funding and policy provisions:
•Ag emergencies, such as Avian Flu, and noxious weeds like Palmer amarath.
•Rapid response to plant pests and pathogens.
•Growing and diversifying our agro-economy, in areas like industrial hemp and biofuel.
•Continued support for production agriculture research, farm safety, tractor rollover prevention, Ag Education, and youth development.
•Creating a dedicated Pollinator Habitat and Research account.
•Creates a Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention pilot program to invest in non-lethal means of preventing wolf attacks on livestock.
The House also recently approved a bill to bring our state into compliance with the federal Real ID standards and the governor enacted it. The upshot is Minnesotans will now be able to obtain an ID card or driver’s license that will be valid for commercial air travel and access to federal facilities including military bases.
This has been an ongoing issue following the federal government increasing ID standards in an effort to combat terrorism. We included opt-in and opt-out options to accommodate those who don’t want the Real ID-compliant cards while also providing a path for those who want one. The bill passed the House 120-11.
We are back on the House floor for what we anticipate will be a long session tonight and then will be back at it again on Monday as we work to approve the nine remaining finance bills.
I will pass along more as things develop.
Sincerely,
Paul