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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL)

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Minnesota House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Extend Farmer-Lender Mediation Act

Thursday, February 14, 2013

ST. PAUL, MN – Today the Minnesota House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to extend the sunset date of the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act by four years.

The bill, authored by Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), extends the sunset date to June 30, 2017. Under current law, expiration occurs this June.  

“This legislation brings peace of mind to individuals and families in rural Minnesota,” said Rep. Poppe. “For over two decades, the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act has produced solutions beneficial to the farmer, the lender and the local economies where they do business. I’m glad we passed this common sense legislation with support from both sides of the aisle.”

First enacted in 1986 in response to a severe farm credit crisis, the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act requires a bank or other creditor to offer mediation to a farmer before enforcing a debt secured by agricultural property such as land, livestock, or crops. To qualify for mediation, the farmer’s debt must exceed $5,000.

“I am hopeful we can get a final bill to Governor Dayton’s desk as soon as possible,” added Rep. Poppe.