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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dale Lueck (R)

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Ag bills approved

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Dear Neighbor,

The House worked through separate agriculture finance and policy bills yesterday.

The finance portion received unanimous approval, 134-0. While last session there was a strong focus on making improvements to farm and food safety, this bill is geared more toward continuing to improve our ability to effective respond to both plant, livestock and poultry health threats.

The bill includes significant investments to:

  • Ag emergencies, such as tractor rollovers, Avian Flu, and noxious weeds.
  • Rapid response to plant pests and pathogens.
  • Growing and diversifying our agro-economy, in areas like industrial hemp and biofuel.
  • Continued support for production agriculture research, farm safety, Ag Education, and youth development.
  • Creating a dedicated Pollinator Habitat and Research account.

On the agriculture policy side, top measures include updating the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, extending a dairy-related initiative at the U of M, and making permanent the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council. Other measures in the bill extend the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council and provide modifications to the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute.

Today in the House, we are working on the jobs and energy, and state government finance bills.

Sincerely,

Dale