HF2778

Purpose

The bill directs a financial transfer to support agricultural research. Specifically, it moves 371,000 dollars in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund into the Agricultural Research Education Extension and Technology Transfer account, to be used for research related to crop contamination and prions linked to chronic wasting disease (CWD) in infected animals.

Main Provisions

• Amount and timing: In fiscal year 2026, 371,000 dollars are transferred from the general fund to the Agricultural Research Education Extension and Technology Transfer (AGREET) account.
• Statutory basis: The transfer is made under Minnesota Statutes section 41A.14, subdivision 3.
• Allocation and recipient: The commissioner of agriculture must transfer these funds to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.
• Research focus: The funds are for purposes of research on crop contamination and exposure to prions deposited by animals infected with chronic wasting disease.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a targeted funding mechanism that moves money from the general fund to the AGREET account for a specific research purpose.
• Directs the funds to be administered by the University of Minnesota (Board of Regents) for research about crop contamination and prion exposure due to CWD, linking state funding to a defined agricultural-health research area.

Implications and Context

• This bill clarifies and formalizes a targeted collaboration between the state and the University of Minnesota to study prions and crop safety in the context of chronic wasting disease in animals.
• It positions state funds to support research on potential food-safety and agricultural risks associated with CWD-related prions.

Relevant Terms - AGREET account (Agricultural Research Education Extension and Technology Transfer account) - general fund - Minnesota Statutes section 41A.14 subdivision 3 - Commissioner of Agriculture - Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota - Crop contamination - Prions - Chronic wasting disease (CWD) - animals infected with chronic wasting disease - research on crop contamination and exposure to prions - fiscal year 2026 - transfer of funds