The state legislative session has reached the halfway point and budget bills will soon begin taking shape. The Senate today released its budget targets, which dictate how much money is added to or cut from a given budget jurisdiction. The budget targets for agriculture are a cut of $313,000 in fiscal years 2026-2027 but an addition of almost $3 million in fiscal years 2028-2029. The agriculture budget is a tiny portion of the overall state budget and the state gets a massive economic return on those dollars, and these targets acknowledge that reality.

Budget bills must be completed and passed out of their committee of origin by April 11, two weeks from today. While the Senate has its budget targets and is on track to meet that deadline, the House has yet to announce its targets. It is unclear how soon those will be finalized and made public. Even then, crafting budget bills in the House will be complicated by the 67-67 tie.

Governor Walz called a special election for Senate District 6 due to the resignation of Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids). A primary will be held on April 15 and the special election will occur on April 29. Republicans are favored to hold onto the seat.

 

Bills this week:

HF 40 (Burkel)/SF XXXX - Requirement that fencing prevent physical contact between farmed Cervidae and free-roaming Cervidae removed, and authority to revoke registrations under certain conditions removed.

Summary: Removes the “prevention of physical contact” requirement for Cervidae (deer) farms, also known as the double fencing requirement and removes the Board of Animal Health’s authority to revoke registrations under certain circumstances. The original purpose of the “physical contact” requirement was to prevent contact between wild and farmed Cervidae in an attempt to stop the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

Position: Support as written.

To our members: The current cost of fencing is high and continues to rise. For some deer farms, spending the capital necessary to comply with the double-fencing requirement could put them out of business. MFBF believes there are more collaborative, less onerous efforts the State could pursue in stopping the spread of CWD.

Action taken by MFBF: Provided written testimony in support of the legislation.

Status: Laid over in the House Agriculture Committee on 03/24/2025. Passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and sent to the Environment Committee on 01/29/2025.

 

HF 1259 (Burkel)/SF 1669 (Dahms) - Minnesota FFA new and expanded access for Minnesota FFA members involved in art-and-history-related FFA activities appropriation.

Summary: Appropriates funding to Minnesota FFA to provide new and expanded access arts and history related FFA activities, including a 100 years event.

Position: Support as written.

To our members: These funds will give students the opportunity to interpret and reflect on Minnesota’s rich agricultural heritage and how it connects to the future of our industry. It will also bolster FFA band and choir, talent competitions, floriculture, and state fair landscape booths. Overall, these funds will help FFA continue to mold the next generation of agricultural and rural leaders in Minnesota.

Action taken by MFBF: Provided written testimony in support of the bill.

Status: Laid over in the House Legacy Committee on 03/26/2025. Laid over in the Senate Environment Committee on 02/25/2025.

 

HF 1676 (Burkel)/SF 2302 (Dahms) - Farmed Cervidae provisions modifications.

Summary: Removes the requirement in current law that when chronic wasting disease (CWD) is detected on a Cervidae farm and the herd is depopulated, that a disclosure is recorded on the property tile/deed.

Position: Support as amended.

To our members: After having a herd depopulated, a Cervidae farmer may decide to exit the industry and sell their property. A CWD disclosure could significantly reduce property values, even if the risk is minimal. CWD does not pose a known direct threat to humans or livestock, and the extent to which CWD prions persist in the soil and environment remains an area of ongoing research.

Action taken by MFBF: Provided written testimony in support of the bill.

Status: Laid over in the House Agriculture Committee on 03/24/2025. Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Agriculture Committee on 03/10/2025.

 

HF 2145 (Greenman)/SF 2361 (Oumou Verbeten) - Employer misrepresentation and misconduct penalties increasement provision.

Summary: Doubles the penalty for employers that intentionally misrepresent an employee as an independent contractor in the unemployment insurance or paid family and medical leave programs. Also allows for an additional $10,000 penalty for each employee misrepresented.

Position: Oppose as written.

To our members: MFBF supports the right of employers and employees to choose the nature of their business and labor relationships. The push by the State to force more 1099 contractors into W2 roles, along with potentially doubling the penalty for misclassification, is to the detriment to farmers and farm workers.

Status: Laid over in the House Workforce Committee on 03/26/2025. Laid over in the Senate Jobs Committee on 03/24/2025.

 

SF 1299 (Lang)/HF 920 (Van Binsbergen) - Appropriation amendment for a Litchfield wastewater industrial pretreatment facility.

Summary: Appropriates money for wastewater treatment at the First District Association in Litchfield.

Position: Support as written.

To our members: Wastewater treatment is an important component of dairy processing. Without updating the existing infrastructure, the plant’s processing capacity will have to be halved, which would affect up to 300 dairy farmers statewide.

Status: Laid over in the Senate Agriculture Committee on 03/26/2025. Introduced in the House and referred to the Capital Investment Committee on 02/17/2025.

 

SF 2809 (Kunesh)/HF 1702 (Anderson, P. H.) - Mental health outreach and support and farm safety grant and outreach programs appropriation.

Summary: Provides funding to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for farmer mental health outreach and farm safety grants.

Position: Support as written.

To our members: The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline and mental health counseling services have proven invaluable for those in crisis. Additionally, farm safety grants play a critical role in preventing accidents and injuries on the farm. Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries, with risks of equipment and machinery accidents, grain bin accidents, and livestock-related injuries.

Action taken by MFBF: Provided verbal testimony in support of the bill.

Status: Laid over in the Senate Agriculture Committee on 03/26/2025. Laid over as amended in the House Agriculture Committee on 03/06/2025.

 

SF 2865 (Hawj)/HF 2563 (Vang) – Omnibus Legacy appropriations.

Summary: Appropriates dollars from the arts and cultural heritage fund, the parks and trails fund, the outdoor heritage fund, and the clean water fund.

Position: Support specific provisions as written.

To our members: This bill includes arts and cultural heritage funds for FFA and county fairs, as well as clean water funds for the AgBMP loan program, the Agricultural Water Quality Certification program, technical assistance, conservations equipment grants, and expansion of the state weather station and soil temperature network.

Action taken by MFBF: Provided verbal testimony in support of the provisions outlined.

Status: Passed the Senate Environment Committee as amended and sent to the Finance Committee on 03/27/2025. Introduced in the House and referred to the Legacy Committee on 03/20/2025.