By Rep. Paul Anderson
Preparations are being made for the opening of the new legislative session, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 6.
A new committee structure was announced by Speaker-elect Kurt Daudt, and movers are busy as House members switch offices. I’ve wondered about the practicality of moving to a different office every two years, but it’s a long- standing tradition that the majority party locates its offices on the fourth floor of the State Office Building in St. Paul. It’s a good time to go through material that’s been in file folders for too long and discard what’s not pertinent. So, things are boxed up, walls receive a fresh coat of paint, and the move is made. It’s quite a process, and things are in a state of flux for the period when up to 134 offices – and more for staff – are made ready for new tenants. The transition should be complete by the end of December.
Republicans made strong gains in this fall’s election from outstate Minnesota. So, reflecting that strength, the new committee structure features an emphasis on issues that deeply affect those regions of the state. It had been a contentious move when the DFL combined agriculture finance with the environment committee two years ago. Now, ag will have its own committee, in fact there will be two that focus on one of our state’s leading economic drivers. Rep. Rod Hamilton will chair finance, and I will lead the ag policy committee. We have discussed the many issues pertinent to agriculture and will have full slates to take up when committee meetings get underway.
Water issues have long been the subject of discussion in ag circles. It can be too much water, such as drainage issues, or the threat of too little water, which brings up the topic of irrigation. The DNR has been conducting meetings in the Bonanza Valley all summer as they attempt to come up with guidelines for long term water sustainability. Although nothing has been finalized yet, there is a concern that water use may be curtailed in times when the need for irrigation is the highest. These meetings are dealing with both water quantity and water quality, which to me are two separate issues.
Other topics that my committee will deal with include transportation as it relates to ag commodities, the supply of fuels such as propane and diesel, education issues as they relate to agriculture, and farmer-lender mediation. Other topic such as the labeling of GMO foods may also come up as some want states to require such labeling. Oregon was the latest state to reject it, although the vote total was extremely close. There may also be bills introduced to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp, which several states, including North Dakota, have already done. However, until the federal government gives its blessing, the actual growing of the crop won’t happen.
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It’s my wish that you have a blessed Christmas season. This is a wonderful time of year as families join together to celebrate His birth. May you enjoy good times as you gather with family and friends. Let’s hope for good weather that allows safe driving to wherever you may be going. Have a very merry Christmas!
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