Bill Text: MN SF845 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Omnibus agriculture appropriations bill
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-05 - Comm report: Re-referred to Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development [SF845 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF845-Introduced.html
1.2relating to agriculture; establishing the governor's budget for agriculture;
1.3appropriating money to the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal
1.4Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute; modifying provisions
1.5related to animal waste technicians; making technical changes;amending
1.6Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 17.03, subdivision 3; 17.1015; 18C.430;
1.718C.433, subdivision 1.
1.8BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.10The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made
1.11in this article.
1.18The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
1.19agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the general
1.20fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each
1.21purpose. The figures "2014" and "2015" used in this act mean that the appropriations
1.22listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or June 30, 2015,
1.23respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal year 2015.
1.24"The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
2.12The amounts that may be spent for each
2.13purpose are specified in the following
2.14subdivisions.
2.19$388,000 the first year and $388,000 the
2.20second year are from the remediation fund
2.21for administrative funding for the voluntary
2.22cleanup program.
2.23$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second
2.24year are for compensation for destroyed or
2.25crippled animals under Minnesota Statues,
2.26section 3.737. If the amount in the first year
2.27is insufficient, the amount in the second year
2.28is available in the first year.
2.29$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second
2.30year are for compensation for crop damage
2.31under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.7371. If
2.32the amount in the first year is insufficient, the
2.33amount in the second year is available in the
2.34first year.
3.1If the commissioner determines that claims
3.2made under Minnesota Statutes, section
3.33.737 or 3.7371, are unusually high, amounts
3.4appropriated for either program may be
3.5transferred to the appropriation for the other
3.6program.
3.7$335,000 the first year and $335,000 the
3.8second year are for an increase in the
3.9operating budget for the laboratory services
3.10division.
3.13$186,000 the first year and $186,000 the
3.14second year are for transfer to the Minnesota
3.15grown account and may be used as grants
3.16for Minnesota grown promotion under
3.17Minnesota Statutes, section 17.102. Grants
3.18may be made for one year. Notwithstanding
3.19Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
3.20appropriations encumbered under contract
3.21on or before June 30, 2015, for Minnesota
3.22grown grants in this paragraph are available
3.23until June 30, 2017.
3.24Up to $100,000 each year of this
3.25appropriation may be used for grants to
3.26farmers for demonstration projects involving
3.27sustainable agriculture as authorized in
3.28Minnesota Statutes, section 17.116. Of the
3.29amount for grants, up to $20,000 may be
3.30used for dissemination of information about
3.31the demonstration projects. Notwithstanding
3.32Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
3.33appropriations encumbered under contract
3.34on or before June 30, 2015, for sustainable
3.35agriculture grants in this paragraph are
3.36available until June 30, 2017.
4.1$10,000 the first year and $10,000 the second
4.2year are for annual cost-share payments to
4.3resident farmers or entities that sell, process,
4.4or package agricultural products in this state
4.5for the costs of organic certification. Annual
4.6cost-share payments must be two-thirds of the
4.7cost of the certification or $350, whichever
4.8is less. A certified organic operation
4.9is eligible to receive annual cost-share
4.10payments for up to five years. In any year
4.11when federal organic cost-share program
4.12funds are available or when there is any
4.13excess appropriation in either fiscal year, the
4.14commissioner may allocate these funds for
4.15organic market and program development,
4.16including organic producer education efforts,
4.17assistance for persons transitioning from
4.18conventional to organic agriculture, or
4.19sustainable agriculture demonstration grants
4.20authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section
4.2117.116, and pertaining to organic research or
4.22demonstration. Any unencumbered balance
4.23does not cancel at the end of the first year
4.24and is available for the second year.
4.27$10,235,000 in the first year and $10,235,000
4.28in the second year are for the agricultural
4.29growth, research, and innovation program
4.30in Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12. The
4.31commissioner may use up to 4.5 percent
4.32of this appropriation for costs incurred to
4.33administer the program. Any unencumbered
4.34balance does not cancel at the end of the first
4.35year and is available for the second year.
4.36Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
5.116A.28, the appropriations encumbered
5.2under contract on or before June 30, 2015, for
5.3agricultural growth, research, and innovation
5.4grants in this paragraph are available until
5.5June 30, 2017.
5.6Funds in this appropriation may be used
5.7for bioenergy grants. The NextGen
5.8Energy Board, established in Minnesota
5.9Statutes, section 41A.105, shall make
5.10recommendations to the commissioner on
5.11grants for owners of Minnesota facilities
5.12producing bioenergy, organizations that
5.13provide for on-station, on-farm field scale
5.14research and outreach to develop and test
5.15the agronomic and economic requirements
5.16of diverse stands of prairie plants and other
5.17perennials for bioenergy systems or grants
5.18for certain nongovernmental entities. For
5.19the purposes of this paragraph, "bioenergy"
5.20includes transportation fuels derived from
5.21cellulosic material, as well as the generation
5.22of energy for commercial heat, industrial
5.23process heat, or electrical power from
5.24cellulosic materials via gasification or
5.25other processes. Grants are limited to 50
5.26percent of the cost of research, technical
5.27assistance, or equipment related to bioenergy
5.28production or $500,000, whichever is less.
5.29Grants to nongovernmental entities for the
5.30development of business plans and structures
5.31related to community ownership of eligible
5.32bioenergy facilities together may not exceed
5.33$150,000. The board shall make a good-faith
5.34effort to select projects that have merit, and,
5.35when taken together, represent a variety of
5.36bioenergy technologies, biomass feedstocks,
6.1and geographic regions of the state. Projects
6.2must have a qualified engineer provide
6.3certification on the technology and fuel
6.4source. Grantees must provide reports at
6.5the request of the commissioner. No later
6.6than February 1, 2015, the commissioner
6.7shall report on the projects funded under this
6.8appropriation to the legislative committees
6.9with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
6.16$634,000 the first year and $634,000 the
6.17second year are for continuation of the dairy
6.18development and profitability enhancement
6.19and dairy business planning grant programs
6.20established under Laws 1997, chapter
6.21216, section 7, subdivision 2, and Laws
6.222001, First Special Session chapter 2,
6.23section 9, subdivision 2. The commissioner
6.24may allocate the available sums among
6.25permissible activities, including efforts to
6.26improve the quality of milk produced in the
6.27state in the proportions that the commissioner
6.28deems most beneficial to Minnesota's
6.29dairy farmers. The commissioner must
6.30submit a detailed accomplishment report
6.31and a work plan detailing future plans for,
6.32and anticipated accomplishments from,
6.33expenditures under this program to the
6.34chairs and ranking minority members of the
6.35legislative committees with jurisdiction over
6.36agricultural policy and finance on or before
7.1the start of each fiscal year. If significant
7.2changes are made to the plans in the course
7.3of the year, the commissioner must notify the
7.4chairs and ranking minority members.
7.5$47,000 the first year and $47,000 the second
7.6year are for the Northern Crops Institute.
7.7These appropriations may be spent to
7.8purchase equipment.
7.9$18,000 the first year and $18,000 the
7.10second year are for a grant to the Minnesota
7.11Livestock Breeders Association.
7.12$235,000 the first year and $235,000 the
7.13second year are for grants to the Minnesota
7.14Agricultural Education and Leadership
7.15Council for programs of the council under
7.16Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D.
7.17$474,000 the first year and $474,000 the
7.18second year are for payments to county and
7.19district agricultural societies and associations
7.20under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02,
7.21subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and
7.22district agricultural societies and associations
7.23shall be disbursed no later than July 15 of
7.24each year. These payments are the amount of
7.25aid from the state for an annual fair held in
7.26the previous calendar year.
7.27$1,000 the first year and $1,000 the second
7.28year are for grants to the Minnesota State
7.29Poultry Association.
7.30$108,000 the first year and $108,000 the
7.31second year are for annual grants to the
7.32Minnesota Turf Seed Council for basic
7.33and applied research on: (1) the improved
7.34production of forage and turf seed related to
7.35new and improved varieties; and (2) native
8.1plants, including plant breeding, nutrient
8.2management, pest management, disease
8.3management, yield, and viability. The grant
8.4recipient may subcontract with a qualified
8.5third party for some or all of the basic or
8.6applied research.
8.7$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
8.8second year are for grants to Second Harvest
8.9Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's six
8.10Second Harvest food banks for the purchase
8.11of milk for distribution to Minnesota's food
8.12shelves and other charitable organizations
8.13that are eligible to receive food from the food
8.14banks. Milk purchased under the grants must
8.15be acquired from Minnesota milk processors
8.16and based on low-cost bids. The milk must be
8.17allocated to each Second Harvest food bank
8.18serving Minnesota according to the formula
8.19used in the distribution of United States
8.20Department of Agriculture commodities
8.21under The Emergency Food Assistance
8.22Program (TEFAP). Second Harvest
8.23Heartland must submit quarterly reports
8.24to the commissioner on forms prescribed
8.25by the commissioner. The reports must
8.26include, but are not limited to, information
8.27on the expenditure of funds, the amount
8.28of milk purchased, and the organizations
8.29to which the milk was distributed. Second
8.30Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts
8.31or agreements with food banks for shared
8.32funding or reimbursement of the direct
8.33purchase of milk. Each food bank receiving
8.34money from this appropriation may use up to
8.35two percent of the grant for administrative
8.36expenses.
9.1$94,000 the first year and $94,000 the
9.2second year are for transfer to the Board of
9.3Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges
9.4and Universities for statewide mental health
9.5counseling support to farm families and
9.6business operators through farm business
9.7management programs at Central Lakes
9.8College and Ridgewater College.
9.9$17,000 the first year and $17,000 the
9.10second year are for grants to the Minnesota
9.11Horticultural Society.
9.12Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
9.13section 18C.131, $800,000 the first year
9.14and $800,000 the second year are from the
9.15fertilizer account in the agricultural fund
9.16for grants for fertilizer research as awarded
9.17by the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer
9.18Research and Education Council under
9.19Minnesota Statutes, section 18C.71. The
9.20amount appropriated in either fiscal year
9.21must not exceed 57 percent of the inspection
9.22fee revenue collected under Minnesota
9.23Statutes, section 18C.425, subdivision 6,
9.24during the previous fiscal year. No later
9.25than February 1, 2015, the commissioner
9.26shall report to the legislative committees
9.27with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
9.28The report must include the progress and
9.29outcome of funded projects as well as the
9.30sentiment of the council concerning the need
9.31for additional research funds.
9.33$2,276,000 the first year and $2,276,000
9.34the second year are for bovine tuberculosis
9.35eradication efforts in cattle herds.
10.1$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
10.2second year are for a program to control
10.3paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in
10.4domestic bovine herds.
10.5$389,000 the first year and $389,000 the
10.6second year are for the purposes of cervidae
10.7inspection as authorized in Minnesota
10.8Statutes, section 35.155.
10.11Money in this appropriation is available for
10.12technical assistance and technology transfer
10.13to bioenergy crop producers and users.
10.14 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 17.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
10.15 Subd. 3. Cooperation with federal agencies. (a) The commissioner shall cooperate
10.16with the government of the United States, with financial agencies created to assist in the
10.17development of the agricultural resources of this state, and so far as practicable may use
10.18the facilities provided by the existing state departments and the various state and local
10.19organizations. This subdivision is intended to relate to every function and duty which
10.20devolves upon the commissioner.
10.21 (b) The commissioner may apply for, receive, and disburse federal funds made
10.22available to the state by federal law or regulation for any purpose related to the powers and
10.23duties of the commissioner. All money received by the commissioner under this paragraph
10.24shall be deposited in the state treasury and is appropriated to the commissioner for the
10.25purposes for which it was received. Money made available under this paragraph may
10.26be paid pursuant to applicable federal regulations and rate structures. Money received
10.27under this paragraph does not cancel and is available for expenditure according to federal
10.28law. The commissioner may contract with and enter into grant agreements with persons,
10.29organizations, educational institutions, firms, corporations, other state agencies, and any
10.30agency or instrumentality of the federal government to carry out agreements made with
10.31the federal government relating to the expenditure of money under this paragraph. Bid
10.32requirements under chapter 16C do not apply to contracts under this paragraph.
11.1 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 17.1015, is amended to read:
11.217.1015 PROMOTIONAL EXPENDITURES.
11.3In order to accomplish the purposes of section17.101 , the commissioner may
11.4participate jointly with private persons in appropriate programs and projects and may enter
11.5into contracts to carry out those programs and projects. The contracts may not include
11.6the acquisition of land or buildings and are not subject to the provisions of chapter 16C
11.7relating to competitive bidding.
11.8The commissioner may spend money appropriated for the purposes of section
11.917.101
in the same manner as private persons, firms, corporations, and associations make
11.10expenditures for these purposes, and expenditures made pursuant to section17.101 for
11.11food, lodging, or travel are not governed by the travel rules of the commissioner of
11.12management and budget.
11.13 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 18C.430, is amended to read:
11.1418C.430 COMMERCIAL ANIMAL WASTE TECHNICIAN.
11.15 Subdivision 1. Requirement. (a)Except as provided in paragraph (c), after March
11.161, 2000, A person may not manage or apply animal wastes to the land for hire without a
11.17valid commercial animal waste technician license. This section does not apply to a person
11.18managing or applying animal waste on land managed by the person's employer.:
11.19(1) without a valid commercial animal waste technician applicator license;
11.20(2) without a valid commercial animal waste technician site manager license; or
11.21(3) as a sole proprietorship, company, partnership, or corporation unless a
11.22commercial animal waste technician company license is held and a commercial animal
11.23waste technical site manager is employed by the entity.
11.24(b) A person managing or applying animal wastes for hire must have a valid
11.25license identification card when managing or applying animal wastes for hire and must
11.26display it upon demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a law
11.27enforcement officer. The commissioner shall prescribe the information required on the
11.28license identification card.
11.29(c)A person who is not a licensed commercial animal waste technician who has had
11.30at least two hours of training or experience in animal waste management may manage
11.31or apply animal waste for hire under the supervision of a commercial animal waste
11.32technician. A commercial animal waste technician applicator must have a minimum of
11.33two hours of certification training in animal waste management and may only manage or
11.34apply animal waste for hire under the supervision of a commercial animal waste technician
12.1site manager. The commissioner shall prescribe the conditions of the supervision and the
12.2form and format required on the certification training.
12.3(d) This section does not apply to a person managing or applying animal waste on
12.4land managed by the person's employer.
12.5 Subd. 2. Responsibility. A person required to be licensed under this section who
12.6performs animal waste management or application for hire or who employs a person to
12.7perform animal waste management or application for compensation is responsible for
12.8proper management or application of the animal wastes.
12.9 Subd. 3. License. (a) A commercial animal waste technician license, including
12.10applicator, site manager, and company:
12.11(1) is valid forthree years one year and expires on December 31 of the third year for
12.12which it is issued, unless suspended or revoked before that date;
12.13(2) is not transferable to another person; and
12.14(3) must be prominently displayed to the public in the commercial animal waste
12.15technician's place of business.
12.16(b) The commercial animal waste technician company license number assigned by
12.17the commissioner must appear on the application equipment when a person manages
12.18or applies animal waste for hire.
12.19 Subd. 4. Application. (a) A person must apply to the commissioner for a commercial
12.20animal waste technician license on forms and in the manner required by the commissioner
12.21and must include the application fee. The commissioner shall prescribe and administer
12.22an examination or equivalent measure to determine if the applicant is eligible for the
12.23commercial animal waste technician license, site manager license or applicator license.
12.24(b) The commissioner of agriculture, in cooperation with the University of
12.25Minnesota ExtensionService and appropriate educational institutions, shall establish and
12.26implement a program for training and licensing commercial animal waste technicians.
12.27 Subd. 5. Renewal application. (a) A person must apply to the commissioner of
12.28agriculture to renew a commercial animal waste technician license and must include the
12.29application fee. The commissioner may renew a commercial animal waste technician
12.30applicator or site manager license, subject to reexamination, attendance at workshops
12.31approved by the commissioner, or other requirements imposed by the commissioner to
12.32provide the animal waste technician with information regarding changing technology and
12.33to help ensure a continuing level of competence and ability to manage and apply animal
12.34wastes properly. The applicant may renew a commercial animal waste technician license
12.35within 12 months after expiration of the license without having to meet initial testing
12.36requirements. The commissioner may require additional demonstration of animal waste
13.1technician qualification if a person has had a license suspended or revoked or has had a
13.2history of violations of this section.
13.3(b) An applicant who meets renewal requirements by reexamination instead
13.4of attending workshops must pay a fee for the reexamination as determined by the
13.5commissioner.
13.6 Subd. 6. Financial responsibility. (a) A commercial animal waste technician
13.7license may not be issued unless the applicant furnishes proof of financial responsibility.
13.8The financial responsibility may be demonstrated by (1) proof of net assets equal to or
13.9greater than $50,000, or (2) a performance bond or insurance of the kind and in an amount
13.10determined by the commissioner of agriculture.
13.11(b) The bond or insurance must cover a period of time at least equal to the term of
13.12the applicant's license. The commissioner shall immediately suspend the license of a
13.13person who fails to maintain the required bond or insurance.
13.14(c) An employee of a licensed person is not required to maintain an insurance policy
13.15or bond during the time the employer is maintaining the required insurance or bond.
13.16(d) Applications for reinstatement of a license suspended under paragraph (b) must
13.17be accompanied by proof of satisfaction of judgments previously rendered.
13.18 Subd. 7. Application fee. (a) A person initially applying for or renewing
13.19a commercial animal waste technician applicator license must pay a nonrefundable
13.20application fee of $50 and a fee of $10 for each additional identification card requested.
13.21 $25. A person initially applying for or renewing a commercial animal waste technician
13.22site manager license must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $50. A person initially
13.23applying for or renewing a commercial animal waste technician company license must
13.24pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100.
13.25(b) A license renewal application received after March 1 in the year for which the
13.26license is to be issued is subject to a penalty fee of 50 percent of the application fee. The
13.27penalty fee must be paid before the renewal license may be issued.
13.28(c) An application for a duplicate commercial animal waste technician license must
13.29be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $10.
13.30 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 18C.433, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
13.31 Subdivision 1. Requirement. Beginning January 1, 2006, only a commercial
13.32animal waste technician, site manager or commercial animal waste technician applicator
13.33 may apply animal waste from a feedlot that:
13.34(1) has a capacity of 300 animal units or more; and
14.1(2) does not have an updated manure management plan that meets the requirements
14.2of Pollution Control Agency rules.
1.3appropriating money to the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal
1.4Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute; modifying provisions
1.5related to animal waste technicians; making technical changes;amending
1.6Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 17.03, subdivision 3; 17.1015; 18C.430;
1.718C.433, subdivision 1.
1.8BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
| 1.9 |
Section 1. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS. |
||||||
1.11in this article.
| 1.17 |
Sec. 2. AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS. |
||||||
1.19agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the general
1.20fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each
1.21purpose. The figures "2014" and "2015" used in this act mean that the appropriations
1.22listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or June 30, 2015,
1.23respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal year 2015.
1.24"The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
| 2.1 |
APPROPRIATIONS |
||||||
| 2.2 |
Available for the Year |
||||||
| 2.3 |
Ending June 30 |
||||||
| 2.4 |
2014 |
2015 |
|||||
| 2.5 |
Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE |
||||||
| 2.6 |
Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation |
$ |
32,823,000 |
$ |
32,823,000 |
||
| 2.7 |
Appropriations by Fund |
||
| 2.8 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
| 2.9 |
General |
31,635,000 |
31,635,000 |
| 2.10 |
Remediation |
388,000 |
388,000 |
| 2.11 |
Agricultural |
800,000 |
800,000 |
2.13purpose are specified in the following
2.14subdivisions.
| 2.15 |
Subd. 2.Protection Services |
12,283,000 |
12,283,000 |
||||
| 2.16 |
Appropriations by Fund |
||
| 2.17 |
General |
11,895,000 |
11,895,000 |
| 2.18 |
Remediation |
388,000 |
388,000 |
2.20second year are from the remediation fund
2.21for administrative funding for the voluntary
2.22cleanup program.
2.23$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second
2.24year are for compensation for destroyed or
2.25crippled animals under Minnesota Statues,
2.26section 3.737. If the amount in the first year
2.27is insufficient, the amount in the second year
2.28is available in the first year.
2.29$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second
2.30year are for compensation for crop damage
2.31under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.7371. If
2.32the amount in the first year is insufficient, the
2.33amount in the second year is available in the
2.34first year.
3.1If the commissioner determines that claims
3.2made under Minnesota Statutes, section
3.33.737 or 3.7371, are unusually high, amounts
3.4appropriated for either program may be
3.5transferred to the appropriation for the other
3.6program.
3.7$335,000 the first year and $335,000 the
3.8second year are for an increase in the
3.9operating budget for the laboratory services
3.10division.
| 3.11 3.12 |
Subd. 3.Agricultural Marketing and Development |
3,062,000 |
3,062,000 |
||||
3.14second year are for transfer to the Minnesota
3.15grown account and may be used as grants
3.16for Minnesota grown promotion under
3.17Minnesota Statutes, section 17.102. Grants
3.18may be made for one year. Notwithstanding
3.19Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
3.20appropriations encumbered under contract
3.21on or before June 30, 2015, for Minnesota
3.22grown grants in this paragraph are available
3.23until June 30, 2017.
3.24Up to $100,000 each year of this
3.25appropriation may be used for grants to
3.26farmers for demonstration projects involving
3.27sustainable agriculture as authorized in
3.28Minnesota Statutes, section 17.116. Of the
3.29amount for grants, up to $20,000 may be
3.30used for dissemination of information about
3.31the demonstration projects. Notwithstanding
3.32Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the
3.33appropriations encumbered under contract
3.34on or before June 30, 2015, for sustainable
3.35agriculture grants in this paragraph are
3.36available until June 30, 2017.
4.1$10,000 the first year and $10,000 the second
4.2year are for annual cost-share payments to
4.3resident farmers or entities that sell, process,
4.4or package agricultural products in this state
4.5for the costs of organic certification. Annual
4.6cost-share payments must be two-thirds of the
4.7cost of the certification or $350, whichever
4.8is less. A certified organic operation
4.9is eligible to receive annual cost-share
4.10payments for up to five years. In any year
4.11when federal organic cost-share program
4.12funds are available or when there is any
4.13excess appropriation in either fiscal year, the
4.14commissioner may allocate these funds for
4.15organic market and program development,
4.16including organic producer education efforts,
4.17assistance for persons transitioning from
4.18conventional to organic agriculture, or
4.19sustainable agriculture demonstration grants
4.20authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section
4.2117.116, and pertaining to organic research or
4.22demonstration. Any unencumbered balance
4.23does not cancel at the end of the first year
4.24and is available for the second year.
| 4.25 4.26 |
Subd. 4.Bioenergy and Value-Added Agriculture |
10,235,000 |
10,235,000 |
||||
4.28in the second year are for the agricultural
4.29growth, research, and innovation program
4.30in Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12. The
4.31commissioner may use up to 4.5 percent
4.32of this appropriation for costs incurred to
4.33administer the program. Any unencumbered
4.34balance does not cancel at the end of the first
4.35year and is available for the second year.
4.36Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
5.116A.28, the appropriations encumbered
5.2under contract on or before June 30, 2015, for
5.3agricultural growth, research, and innovation
5.4grants in this paragraph are available until
5.5June 30, 2017.
5.6Funds in this appropriation may be used
5.7for bioenergy grants. The NextGen
5.8Energy Board, established in Minnesota
5.9Statutes, section 41A.105, shall make
5.10recommendations to the commissioner on
5.11grants for owners of Minnesota facilities
5.12producing bioenergy, organizations that
5.13provide for on-station, on-farm field scale
5.14research and outreach to develop and test
5.15the agronomic and economic requirements
5.16of diverse stands of prairie plants and other
5.17perennials for bioenergy systems or grants
5.18for certain nongovernmental entities. For
5.19the purposes of this paragraph, "bioenergy"
5.20includes transportation fuels derived from
5.21cellulosic material, as well as the generation
5.22of energy for commercial heat, industrial
5.23process heat, or electrical power from
5.24cellulosic materials via gasification or
5.25other processes. Grants are limited to 50
5.26percent of the cost of research, technical
5.27assistance, or equipment related to bioenergy
5.28production or $500,000, whichever is less.
5.29Grants to nongovernmental entities for the
5.30development of business plans and structures
5.31related to community ownership of eligible
5.32bioenergy facilities together may not exceed
5.33$150,000. The board shall make a good-faith
5.34effort to select projects that have merit, and,
5.35when taken together, represent a variety of
5.36bioenergy technologies, biomass feedstocks,
6.1and geographic regions of the state. Projects
6.2must have a qualified engineer provide
6.3certification on the technology and fuel
6.4source. Grantees must provide reports at
6.5the request of the commissioner. No later
6.6than February 1, 2015, the commissioner
6.7shall report on the projects funded under this
6.8appropriation to the legislative committees
6.9with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
| 6.10 6.11 |
Subd. 5.Administration and Financial Assistance |
7,243,000 |
7,243,000 |
||||
| 6.12 |
Appropriations by Fund |
||
| 6.13 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
| 6.14 |
General |
6,443,000 |
6,443,000 |
| 6.15 |
Agricultural |
800,000 |
800,000 |
6.17second year are for continuation of the dairy
6.18development and profitability enhancement
6.19and dairy business planning grant programs
6.20established under Laws 1997, chapter
6.21216, section 7, subdivision 2, and Laws
6.222001, First Special Session chapter 2,
6.23section 9, subdivision 2. The commissioner
6.24may allocate the available sums among
6.25permissible activities, including efforts to
6.26improve the quality of milk produced in the
6.27state in the proportions that the commissioner
6.28deems most beneficial to Minnesota's
6.29dairy farmers. The commissioner must
6.30submit a detailed accomplishment report
6.31and a work plan detailing future plans for,
6.32and anticipated accomplishments from,
6.33expenditures under this program to the
6.34chairs and ranking minority members of the
6.35legislative committees with jurisdiction over
6.36agricultural policy and finance on or before
7.1the start of each fiscal year. If significant
7.2changes are made to the plans in the course
7.3of the year, the commissioner must notify the
7.4chairs and ranking minority members.
7.5$47,000 the first year and $47,000 the second
7.6year are for the Northern Crops Institute.
7.7These appropriations may be spent to
7.8purchase equipment.
7.9$18,000 the first year and $18,000 the
7.10second year are for a grant to the Minnesota
7.11Livestock Breeders Association.
7.12$235,000 the first year and $235,000 the
7.13second year are for grants to the Minnesota
7.14Agricultural Education and Leadership
7.15Council for programs of the council under
7.16Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D.
7.17$474,000 the first year and $474,000 the
7.18second year are for payments to county and
7.19district agricultural societies and associations
7.20under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02,
7.21subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and
7.22district agricultural societies and associations
7.23shall be disbursed no later than July 15 of
7.24each year. These payments are the amount of
7.25aid from the state for an annual fair held in
7.26the previous calendar year.
7.27$1,000 the first year and $1,000 the second
7.28year are for grants to the Minnesota State
7.29Poultry Association.
7.30$108,000 the first year and $108,000 the
7.31second year are for annual grants to the
7.32Minnesota Turf Seed Council for basic
7.33and applied research on: (1) the improved
7.34production of forage and turf seed related to
7.35new and improved varieties; and (2) native
8.1plants, including plant breeding, nutrient
8.2management, pest management, disease
8.3management, yield, and viability. The grant
8.4recipient may subcontract with a qualified
8.5third party for some or all of the basic or
8.6applied research.
8.7$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
8.8second year are for grants to Second Harvest
8.9Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's six
8.10Second Harvest food banks for the purchase
8.11of milk for distribution to Minnesota's food
8.12shelves and other charitable organizations
8.13that are eligible to receive food from the food
8.14banks. Milk purchased under the grants must
8.15be acquired from Minnesota milk processors
8.16and based on low-cost bids. The milk must be
8.17allocated to each Second Harvest food bank
8.18serving Minnesota according to the formula
8.19used in the distribution of United States
8.20Department of Agriculture commodities
8.21under The Emergency Food Assistance
8.22Program (TEFAP). Second Harvest
8.23Heartland must submit quarterly reports
8.24to the commissioner on forms prescribed
8.25by the commissioner. The reports must
8.26include, but are not limited to, information
8.27on the expenditure of funds, the amount
8.28of milk purchased, and the organizations
8.29to which the milk was distributed. Second
8.30Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts
8.31or agreements with food banks for shared
8.32funding or reimbursement of the direct
8.33purchase of milk. Each food bank receiving
8.34money from this appropriation may use up to
8.35two percent of the grant for administrative
8.36expenses.
9.1$94,000 the first year and $94,000 the
9.2second year are for transfer to the Board of
9.3Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges
9.4and Universities for statewide mental health
9.5counseling support to farm families and
9.6business operators through farm business
9.7management programs at Central Lakes
9.8College and Ridgewater College.
9.9$17,000 the first year and $17,000 the
9.10second year are for grants to the Minnesota
9.11Horticultural Society.
9.12Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
9.13section 18C.131, $800,000 the first year
9.14and $800,000 the second year are from the
9.15fertilizer account in the agricultural fund
9.16for grants for fertilizer research as awarded
9.17by the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer
9.18Research and Education Council under
9.19Minnesota Statutes, section 18C.71. The
9.20amount appropriated in either fiscal year
9.21must not exceed 57 percent of the inspection
9.22fee revenue collected under Minnesota
9.23Statutes, section 18C.425, subdivision 6,
9.24during the previous fiscal year. No later
9.25than February 1, 2015, the commissioner
9.26shall report to the legislative committees
9.27with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
9.28The report must include the progress and
9.29outcome of funded projects as well as the
9.30sentiment of the council concerning the need
9.31for additional research funds.
| 9.32 |
Sec. 4. BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH |
$ |
4,841,000 |
$ |
4,841,000 |
||
9.34the second year are for bovine tuberculosis
9.35eradication efforts in cattle herds.
10.1$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
10.2second year are for a program to control
10.3paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in
10.4domestic bovine herds.
10.5$389,000 the first year and $389,000 the
10.6second year are for the purposes of cervidae
10.7inspection as authorized in Minnesota
10.8Statutes, section 35.155.
| 10.9 10.10 |
Sec. 5. AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE |
$ |
2,783,000 |
$ |
2,783,000 |
||
10.12technical assistance and technology transfer
10.13to bioenergy crop producers and users.
10.14 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 17.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
10.15 Subd. 3. Cooperation with federal agencies. (a) The commissioner shall cooperate
10.16with the government of the United States, with financial agencies created to assist in the
10.17development of the agricultural resources of this state, and so far as practicable may use
10.18the facilities provided by the existing state departments and the various state and local
10.19organizations. This subdivision is intended to relate to every function and duty which
10.20devolves upon the commissioner.
10.21 (b) The commissioner may apply for, receive, and disburse federal funds made
10.22available to the state by federal law or regulation for any purpose related to the powers and
10.23duties of the commissioner. All money received by the commissioner under this paragraph
10.24shall be deposited in the state treasury and is appropriated to the commissioner for the
10.25purposes for which it was received. Money made available under this paragraph may
10.26be paid pursuant to applicable federal regulations and rate structures. Money received
10.27under this paragraph does not cancel and is available for expenditure according to federal
10.28law. The commissioner may contract with and enter into grant agreements with persons,
10.29organizations, educational institutions, firms, corporations, other state agencies, and any
10.30agency or instrumentality of the federal government to carry out agreements made with
10.31the federal government relating to the expenditure of money under this paragraph. Bid
10.32requirements under chapter 16C do not apply to contracts under this paragraph.
11.1 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 17.1015, is amended to read:
11.217.1015 PROMOTIONAL EXPENDITURES.
11.3In order to accomplish the purposes of section
11.4participate jointly with private persons in appropriate programs and projects and may enter
11.5into contracts to carry out those programs and projects. The contracts may not include
11.6the acquisition of land or buildings and are not subject to the provisions of chapter 16C
11.7relating to competitive bidding.
11.8The commissioner may spend money appropriated for the purposes of section
11.10expenditures for these purposes, and expenditures made pursuant to section
11.11food, lodging, or travel are not governed by the travel rules of the commissioner of
11.12management and budget.
11.13 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 18C.430, is amended to read:
11.1418C.430 COMMERCIAL ANIMAL WASTE TECHNICIAN.
11.15 Subdivision 1. Requirement. (a)
11.16
11.17
11.18
11.19(1) without a valid commercial animal waste technician applicator license;
11.20(2) without a valid commercial animal waste technician site manager license; or
11.21(3) as a sole proprietorship, company, partnership, or corporation unless a
11.22commercial animal waste technician company license is held and a commercial animal
11.23waste technical site manager is employed by the entity.
11.24(b) A person managing or applying animal wastes for hire must have a valid
11.25license identification card when managing or applying animal wastes for hire and must
11.26display it upon demand by an authorized representative of the commissioner or a law
11.27enforcement officer. The commissioner shall prescribe the information required on the
11.28license identification card.
11.29(c)
11.30
11.31
11.32
11.33two hours of certification training in animal waste management and may only manage or
11.34apply animal waste for hire under the supervision of a commercial animal waste technician
12.1site manager. The commissioner shall prescribe the conditions of the supervision and the
12.2form and format required on the certification training.
12.3(d) This section does not apply to a person managing or applying animal waste on
12.4land managed by the person's employer.
12.5 Subd. 2. Responsibility. A person required to be licensed under this section who
12.6performs animal waste management or application for hire or who employs a person to
12.7perform animal waste management or application for compensation is responsible for
12.8proper management or application of the animal wastes.
12.9 Subd. 3. License. (a) A commercial animal waste technician license, including
12.10applicator, site manager, and company:
12.11(1) is valid for
12.12which it is issued, unless suspended or revoked before that date;
12.13(2) is not transferable to another person; and
12.14(3) must be prominently displayed to the public in the commercial animal waste
12.15technician's place of business.
12.16(b) The commercial animal waste technician company license number assigned by
12.17the commissioner must appear on the application equipment when a person manages
12.18or applies animal waste for hire.
12.19 Subd. 4. Application. (a) A person must apply to the commissioner for a commercial
12.20animal waste technician license on forms and in the manner required by the commissioner
12.21and must include the application fee. The commissioner shall prescribe and administer
12.22an examination or equivalent measure to determine if the applicant is eligible for the
12.23commercial animal waste technician license, site manager license or applicator license.
12.24(b) The commissioner of agriculture, in cooperation with the University of
12.25Minnesota Extension
12.26implement a program for training and licensing commercial animal waste technicians.
12.27 Subd. 5. Renewal application. (a) A person must apply to the commissioner of
12.28agriculture to renew a commercial animal waste technician license and must include the
12.29application fee. The commissioner may renew a commercial animal waste technician
12.30applicator or site manager license, subject to reexamination, attendance at workshops
12.31approved by the commissioner, or other requirements imposed by the commissioner to
12.32provide the animal waste technician with information regarding changing technology and
12.33to help ensure a continuing level of competence and ability to manage and apply animal
12.34wastes properly. The applicant may renew a commercial animal waste technician license
12.35within 12 months after expiration of the license without having to meet initial testing
12.36requirements. The commissioner may require additional demonstration of animal waste
13.1technician qualification if a person has had a license suspended or revoked or has had a
13.2history of violations of this section.
13.3(b) An applicant who meets renewal requirements by reexamination instead
13.4of attending workshops must pay a fee for the reexamination as determined by the
13.5commissioner.
13.6 Subd. 6. Financial responsibility. (a) A commercial animal waste technician
13.7license may not be issued unless the applicant furnishes proof of financial responsibility.
13.8The financial responsibility may be demonstrated by (1) proof of net assets equal to or
13.9greater than $50,000, or (2) a performance bond or insurance of the kind and in an amount
13.10determined by the commissioner of agriculture.
13.11(b) The bond or insurance must cover a period of time at least equal to the term of
13.12the applicant's license. The commissioner shall immediately suspend the license of a
13.13person who fails to maintain the required bond or insurance.
13.14(c) An employee of a licensed person is not required to maintain an insurance policy
13.15or bond during the time the employer is maintaining the required insurance or bond.
13.16(d) Applications for reinstatement of a license suspended under paragraph (b) must
13.17be accompanied by proof of satisfaction of judgments previously rendered.
13.18 Subd. 7. Application fee. (a) A person initially applying for or renewing
13.19a commercial animal waste technician applicator license must pay a nonrefundable
13.20
13.21 $25. A person initially applying for or renewing a commercial animal waste technician
13.22site manager license must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $50. A person initially
13.23applying for or renewing a commercial animal waste technician company license must
13.24pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100.
13.25(b) A license renewal application received after March 1 in the year for which the
13.26license is to be issued is subject to a penalty fee of 50 percent of the application fee. The
13.27penalty fee must be paid before the renewal license may be issued.
13.28(c) An application for a duplicate commercial animal waste technician license must
13.29be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $10.
13.30 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 18C.433, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
13.31 Subdivision 1. Requirement. Beginning January 1, 2006, only a commercial
13.32animal waste technician
13.33 may apply animal waste from a feedlot that:
13.34(1) has a capacity of 300 animal units or more; and
14.1(2) does not have an updated manure management plan that meets the requirements
14.2of Pollution Control Agency rules.
