Dear Neighbor,
As negotiations continue to reach agreement on some of the session's headline items, I want to pass along news the omnibus agriculture policy bill I authored passed the House 127-0 on Monday.
One of the most important provisions in that bill provides a two-year extension for the Farmer-Lender Mediation program, through June 30, 2018. The program was created in 1986 in order to help farmers renegotiate, restructure, or resolve farm debt. The act requires lenders to offer mediation before foreclosing on an agriculture property through an impartial party. This program could be increasingly popular in upcoming years as the impacts of low commodity prices accumulate.
The bill (H.F. 3231 ) also establishes a 15-person commission, including the Commissioner of Agriculture or its appointee, to examine the program and report recommendations for improvements. The Farmer-Lender Mediation program has been extended 19 times by the Legislature, changes have not occurred to help the program keep up with the times. The commission would be comprised of farmers and bankers, along with representation from the University of Minnesota Extension, Farm Business Management and other major farm organizations.
A joint House-Senate conference committee is working to reconcile differences between the bodies' respective proposals. The main item we need to work out in conference committee is the task force commission that will study the program. Because of issues with funding, the Senate didn't include the task force in its bill. However, the Department of Agriculture has agreed to convene the group at no additional cost, so we should be able to reach agreement quickly on that key provision.
Another provision establishes the Farm Safety Initiative to analyze farm safety issues. The Department of Agriculture would compile information, including common causes of farm accidents, and form a list of farm safety programs by Oct. 1.
The House put forward its bonding proposal this week. The focus of the $800 million bill is on fixing local roads and bridges, higher education, and water infrastructure. The proposal includes $227 million for local road and bridge projects, $130 million for water infrastructure projects, and also $137 million for higher education, with a significant portion of that funding going to asset preservation.
Stay tuned as things unfold over the last few days of the session. We expect to be working through the weekend in St. Paul in order to complete our work by midnight Sunday. The Legislature is not officially set to adjourn until Monday, but state law indicates bills cannot be passed on the final day.
Sincerely,
Paul