HF2446

HF2446 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Agriculture and broadband development policy and finance bill.

Related bill: SF2458

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill is focused on providing a detailed budget and funding allocations for several agricultural bodies and programs in Minnesota. It outlines fiscal appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and the Office of Broadband Development. The bill also introduces specific policy and technical changes related to agricultural practices and programs.

Main Provisions

Appropriations: The bill designates funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support various agricultural activities.
- Department of Agriculture: Funding is provided for protection services, marketing, development, administrative assistance, and financial aid.
- Board of Animal Health: Allocated funds to maintain the current level of service delivery.
- Agricultural Utilization Research Institute: Funding to sustain current services.
Specific Fund Allocations:
- Livestock and Crop Compensation: Money is allocated to compensate for livestock damaged by wolves and crops damaged by elk.
- Soil Health and Environmental Programs: Financial assistance programs for soil health and biofertilizer innovation are funded.
- Food and Nutrition Grants: Grants for improving food access and quality are included, such as farm-to-institution initiatives and urban agriculture projects.
- Research and Development: Funding is provided for farm business management, dairy development, and other agricultural growth initiatives.
- Emerging Farmers Support: Grants and services for emerging and minority farmers are funded to increase market access and opportunities.
- Infrastructure and Equipment: Funds are allocated for upgrading laboratory equipment and expanding meat and poultry inspection.
Program Transfers and Cancellations:
- Transfers: Detailed financial transfers to support agricultural research, wildlife disease prevention, and food safety testing are outlined.
- Cancellations: Certain unused appropriations from previous years are canceled, with funds redirected to current programs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Program Enhancements: Introduces new initiatives like a biofertilizer efficiency program and studies to evaluate the environmental impact of certain agricultural practices.
Increased Grants and Assistance: Expands financial assistance available to different agricultural sectors, including mental health support for farmers.
Fund Usage Adjustments: Allows for more flexible usage of allocated funds, with carryover of unspent funds to subsequent fiscal years.

Relevant Terms

Agriculture appropriations
Soil health financial assistance
Biofertilizer innovation
Livestock compensation
Emerging farmers
Urban agriculture
Food safety
Agricultural research
Financial transfers and cancellations

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file
2nd Engrossment PDF file
1st Unofficial Engrossment PDF file

Past committee meetings

Ways and Means on: April 21, 2025 13:00

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
April 24, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Received from House
March 16, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Agriculture Finance and Policy
April 24, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Received from House
April 24, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
April 24, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
April 09, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to	Ways and Means
April 24, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Rules and Administration
April 21, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt as amended
April 21, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt as amended
April 27, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders
April 27, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders
April 21, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Second reading
April 21, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Second reading
April 22, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
April 27, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Second reading
	House	Floor	Action	House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
April 22, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
April 27, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Second reading
April 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Third reading
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Special Order: Amended
April 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Third reading
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Special Order: Amended
April 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Bill was passed
April 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Bill was passed
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Third reading Passed as amended
April 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Third reading Passed as amended
April 30, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Returned from Senate with amendment
April 30, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Returned from Senate with amendment
April 30, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House refuses to concur, conference committee requested
April 30, 2025	House	Floor	Action	House refuses to concur, conference committee of 6 requested

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill proposes amendments that affect the budget for the Department of Agriculture. It includes amendments relating to statute 17.133 subdivision 2 regarding statutory references for grants.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "17.133",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill involves amendments to 18B.01 subdivision 1d under state law, adding a new subdivision to the existing law.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "18B.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1d"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This legislation concerns management of county agricultural inspectors, involving statutory references to Minnesota Statutes 18.81 subdivision 1b.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "18.81",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1b"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides budget allocations for livestock compensation programs regulated under Minnesota Statutes 3.737.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "3.737",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides budget allocations for crop or fence damage compensation programs regulated under Minnesota Statutes 3.7371.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "3.7371",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Allocates funding for the soil health financial assistance program under Minnesota Statutes section 17.134.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "17.134",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill provides rules for appropriations and grants, referencing 16B.98 subdivision 14 for administrative cost regulations.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "16B.98",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 14"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Includes appropriations for agricultural growth, research, and innovation programs under Minnesota Statutes 41A.12.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "41A.12",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides for grant allocations related to biofuels infrastructure by referencing Minnesota Statutes section 239.7911.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "239.7911",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Includes payments to county and district agricultural societies under Minnesota Statutes section 38.02 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "38.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Mentions appropriation allocations for agriculture-related education programs under Minnesota Statutes chapter 41D.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "41D",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Transfers funds to the agriculture research, education, extension, and technology transfer account based on 41A.14, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "41A.14",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Allocates funds for agriculture research and education under 41A.14, subdivision 1 clauses.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "41A.14",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Funds for agriculture rapid response are allocated under 41A.14, subdivision 1 clause 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "41A.14",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1 clause 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Transfers for Minnesota-grown promotion grants are included under section 17.102.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "17.102",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Funds transferred to the agricultural emergency account under section 17.041.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "17.041",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Abides by recommendations of the emerging farmer working group under section 17.055 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "17.055",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides for revolving loan account transfers under 17.117 subdivision 5a for loans.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "17.117",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5a"
  }
]