Minnesota Legislative Ag Update

The legislative session this year has been busy, as usual. Among the numerous agriculture-related bills, MSGA has been keeping an eye on four important ones.

Two of the bills (one in House and one in Senate) concern foreign ownership of land. At the present time, Minnesota does not allow persons who aren't permanent resident aliens of the United States or citizens from having an interest in or opportunity to purchase agricultural land. However, states bordering Minnesota including Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota, do not have such restrictions. Passing HF 447 would allow aliens that hold an E2 visa (aliens reside in state for at least 6 out of 12 months) to purchase and operate agriculture land. The Senate version of the bill, SF 717, is asking for the same provisions. It is important to remember that the bills are only asking for legislation that is similar to immigrant farmland ownership laws and statutes in neighboring states.

HF 447 was heard in the Committee on Civil Law and reported on by Rep. Holberg who recommended an amendment. When the bill is amended, the bill will pass out of the Committee on Civil Law. The report was given on Monday March 24, along with a second reading on the House Floor.

SF 717 was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and reported on by Sen. Betzold who recommended amendments. The amendments were adopted. The report was heard on the House Floor on Monday, April 14.

The other major bills (one in House and one in Senate) concern feedlot environmental reviews. At the present time, a petition can be signed by 25 persons, whether they live in the area of the feedlot or not, to impose an environmental assessment worksheet. These can be very costly to livestock producers. Because the livestock industry is the number one market for soybean producers, it is important that MSGA supports efforts to keep livestock operations viable and successful in Minnesota. HF 1202 and SF 1281 say that no petitions for an environmental assessment worksheet may be accepted for any animal feedlot facility of less than 1,000 animal units, as long as the facility is in compliance with Minnesota's 7020 feedlot rules when the permit application is made. The Bill also mandates that decisions on the need for an environmental impact statement and the adequacy of an environmental impact statement be reviewed in the court of appeals rather than in district court.

HF 1202 was heard in the Committee on Civil Law and reported on by Rep. Holberg who recommended amendments to the bill, and when the amendments are made, the bill will pass out of the Committee on Civil Law and be re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration. The report was heard on the House Floor on Thursday, April 10.

SF 1281 was heard in the Committee on Agriculture and reported on by Sen. Murphy who recommended amendments to the bill. When amendments are made the bill will pass out of the Committee on Agriculture and be re-referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Pursuant to Joint Rule 2.03, the bill was re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. The report was heard on the Senate Floor on Wednesday, April 9.

To follow the status of these bills, or any other bill currently on the legislative docket, go to the Bills and legislation Web site, and enter HF (house file) or SF (senate file) and the bill number.