On Wednesday, April 30, the Minnesota Senate passed the Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development policy and appropriations package, Senate File 2458. The legislation includes some welcome updates and reforms while investing in key agricultural programs.

“This year’s Agriculture bill takes meaningful steps to support Minnesota’s farmers, with investments in livestock protection, mental health outreach, rural development, and agricultural education,” said Senator Gary Dahms (R –Redwood Falls), member of the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. “There are still areas of concern, particularly regarding new fees. However, the bill overall includes critical resources to help our agriculture sector thrive. I’m hopeful we can continue to improve the bill as it moves through conference committee.”

During the floor debate, Senate Republicans also focused on ensuring that taxpayer dollars sent to nonprofits fund their operations, instead of administration. Senate Republicans offered additional amendments to increase accountability and transparency in how taxpayer dollars are used.

Republicans were successful in getting the following amendments onto the bill:

• Regarding the local food purchasing assistance grant program: Added a reporting requirement to enhance oversight and ensure state funds are used as intended.
• Support for meat and dairy processing expansion: Allocates $100,000 per year for grants to support the startup, modernization, or expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities, offset by a reduction in urban agriculture funding in AGRI.
• Modify procedure for a weed inspector to enter a property: Requires weed inspectors to make a dedicated effort to contact landowners before entering property, while still allowing inspections when necessary and ensuring landowners receive timely reports.

“I will continue to advocate for policies that ensure Minnesota’s agricultural industry remains competitive and thriving,” concluded Senator Gary Dahms.

Senate File 2458 now awaits action by a conference committee.

Senator Dahms is in his fifth term representing Senate District 15, which includes communities in Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine counties. He also serves as the Republican Lead on the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and as a member of the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, as well as the Finance Committee.