HF2446 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and Agricultural Utilization Research Institute budget established; policy and technical changes made to agriculture provisions; fees modified and established; civil penalties provided; money transferred; and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF2458
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill aims to allocate funds and make policy changes for Minnesota's Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. It establishes budgets, modifies existing policies, sets fees, requires reports, and provides civil penalties.
Main Provisions
- Appropriations for Agriculture: Budgets are specified for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, supporting various agricultural programs, including soil health, pollinator research, and livestock protection.
- Program Funding: Funds are appropriated for programs such as dairy development, agricultural marketing, research initiatives, and support for emerging farmers and minority communities.
- Grants and Financial Assistance: Grants for organic certification, urban agriculture, cooperative development, and support for agricultural and food systems, including school nutrition programs and emergency food assistance, are included.
- Research and Innovation: The bill funds agricultural research, education, and technology transfer, including avian influenza prevention and the cultivation of wild rice.
- Administrative Rules and Transfers: Adjustments to how funds can be transferred within the Department of Agriculture and how reports should be submitted to legislative committees are outlined.
Significant Changes
- Policy Modifications: The bill introduces policy and technical changes to existing agricultural provisions, some involving fee structures and administrative processes.
- Funding Redirections: Allocations also involve redirecting some funding from previous initiatives and removing old statute sections to streamline operations.
Relevant Terms
agriculture finance, pollinator research, soil health, Urban Agriculture, emerging farmers, livestock protection, organic certification, food hubs, climate change adaptation, agricultural innovation, dairy development, agricultural marketing, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, financial assistance, grants, cooperative development, farm-to-institution, minority farmers, climate implementation coordinator.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Upcoming committee meetings
- Agriculture Finance and Policy on: April 07, 2025 13:00
- Agriculture Finance and Policy on: April 09, 2025 13:00
Past committee meetings
- Agriculture Finance and Policy on: April 02, 2025 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Agriculture Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New promotional methods for Minnesota-grown produce."
],
"removed": [
"Old promotional strategies deemed ineffective."
],
"summary": "Amendments related to the agricultural marketing and promotion under section 17.1017.",
"modified": [
"Updating legal language to reflect new market conditions."
]
},
"citation": "17.1017"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Inclusion of new agricultural products in state-sponsored events."
],
"removed": [
"Elimination of outdated agricultural event policies."
],
"summary": "Changes in agriculture policies under section 17.1018.",
"modified": [
"Adjustments to the responsibilities of event organizers."
]
},
"citation": "17.1018"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifications on eligibility for low-interest loans."
],
"removed": [
"Removal of redundant qualifications."
],
"summary": "Amending sections around agricultural loans under subsection 17.117.",
"modified": [
"Updated interest rate terms for better accessibility."
]
},
"citation": "17.117"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Additional types of pesticides under regulation."
],
"removed": [
"Outdated pesticide regulations."
],
"summary": "Modification in pesticide regulatory provisions under subdivision 8 of section 18B.26.",
"modified": [
"Enhanced safety guidelines for handling."
]
},
"citation": "18B.26"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New fee structures for pesticide registrations."
],
"removed": [
"Fees that no longer apply under updated regulations."
],
"summary": "Policy adjustments regarding pesticide actions and fees under section 18J.01.",
"modified": [
"Changes to administrative procedures for fee collection."
]
},
"citation": "18J.01"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provisions for new seed testing methods."
],
"removed": [
"Outdated seed standards."
],
"summary": "Regulatory updates to seed laws under section 21.111.",
"modified": [
"Revise compliance requirements for seed distributors."
]
},
"citation": "21.111"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Addition of new administrative roles focused on tech integration."
],
"removed": [
"Elimination of redundant administrative tasks."
],
"summary": "Amendments to administrative provisions under section 28A.03.",
"modified": [
"Update reporting requirements to reflect current practices."
]
},
"citation": "28A.03"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New ways to apply for financial aid."
],
"removed": [
"Certain outdated eligibility criteria."
],
"summary": "Adjustments to rural finance authority under subdivision 2 of section 41B.039.",
"modified": [
"Streamlining the application process for efficiency."
]
},
"citation": "41B.039"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows for new grant types to encourage innovative research."
],
"removed": [
"Restrictions on cross-agency collaborations."
],
"summary": "The bill updates the agricultural research sector as per section 41A.14.",
"modified": [
"Revise funding allocation to focus more on emerging agricultural trends."
]
},
"citation": "41A.14"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Additional funding for new research areas identified."
],
"removed": [
"Funding for expired projects."
],
"summary": "The section 41A.12 sees changes related to the agricultural growth research initiative.",
"modified": [
"Reallocation of funds to prioritize higher-impact projects."
]
},
"citation": "41A.12"
}
]