SF2610

SF2610 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Beginning farmer program provisions modification

Related bill: HF2280

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to amend various provisions related to agriculture in Minnesota. The changes focus on improving the beginning farmer program, updating grain buyer regulations, coordinating efforts to protect public health from fertilizers, and repealing a requirement related to biodiesel fuel reporting.

Main Provisions

Beginning Farmer Program: The bill modifies the qualifications and eligibility requirements for "beginning farmers" to support their entry into farming. It includes criteria for net worth, farming experience, management commitment, and financial education.
Fertilizer Regulation: It authorizes the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture to work with state agencies and local governments to protect public health and the environment from the adverse effects of fertilizers and fertilizer byproducts.
Grain Buyer Regulations: The bill updates the financial reporting requirements for grain buyers, stipulating different levels of review or audit by certified public accountants based on the volume of grain purchases. It also specifies exemptions for smaller transactions and grants authority to request financial details based on certain conditions.
Repeal of Biodiesel Reporting Requirement: The bill removes the requirement for the Commissioner of Agriculture to report annually on the implementation of the biodiesel fuel mandate, which includes issues like pricing, supply, and production impacts.

Significant Changes

Expanded Coordination for Fertilizer Safety: This provision enhances the role of the commissioner to ensure public health safety regarding fertilizers, allowing for better coordination and assistance among various governmental levels.
Revised Grain Buyer Financial Oversight: There’s an increased focus on reporting and auditing for grain buyers, ensuring their compliance with financial transparency and protecting stakeholders from financial mismanagement.
Removal of Biodiesel Reporting: By repealing the annual biodiesel report requirement, the bill reduces specific administrative duties related to monitoring the biodiesel mandate's effects.

Relevant Terms

Beginning farmer
Fertilizer safety
Grain buyer financial statement
Biodiesel fuel mandate
Agricultural assets
Emerging farmers
Financial management program

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 16, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
March 16, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill adjusts eligibility requirements for beginning farmers in relation to net worth limits under section 41B.03, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the net worth limit requirements for beginning farmers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "41B.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provides definition for 'emerging farmers' by referring to existing standards under section 17.055, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Incorporates existing definition of 'emerging farmer' into the new context."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "17.055",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Includes a reference to livestock dealers defined in section 17A.03, subdivision 7.",
      "modified": [
        "References existing definition for livestock dealers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "17A.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Refers to residency definitions as given in section 290.01, subdivision 7.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the definition of residency for application of the discussed provisions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "290.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Talks about cash transaction methods in reference to section 223.16, subdivision 2a.",
      "modified": [
        "Details cash transaction exemptions for grain buyers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "223.16",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References the privacy and non-public data classification as stipulated in section 13.02.",
      "modified": [
        "Defines the privacy status of financial statements submitted."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.02",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill allows the Rural Finance Authority to share information with certain stipulations, notwithstanding section 41B.211.",
      "modified": [
        "Grants Rural Finance Authority specific information sharing capabilities."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "41B.211",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The authority to share information with the commissioner of revenue for credit administration relies on section 290.06, subdivisions 37 and 38.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the legal basis for information sharing for tax credits."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "290.06",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 37 and 38"
  }
]