Update: The conference committee report passed both chambers, Walker Orenstein reports in Minnesota Legislature approves bill to address 2021 drought, fund broadband infrastructure at MinnPost.
Back on March 10, Session Daily reported Bill offering relief for drought-hit farmers passes House; that was HF3420, by a 101-33 vote. Such luminaries as the Ag committee minority lead, Starbuck's Paul Anderson, Browns Valley Republican Jeff "Goose Poop" Backer, Alexandria conservative Mary Franson, and cattle farmer Dale Lueck voted for it.
But when the agriculture conference report hit the House floor last night--a"conference committee report to HF3420 combines the omnibus agriculture and broadband supplemental finance and policy bill with one that would provide relief to farmers from the 2021 drought," the vote was 69-64, without a single Republican voting for the legislation.
Too much help for farmers? Too much money for broadband? Too much money left for the DNR tree drought relief?
You'd think they'd at least honor Elbow Lake Republican Ag Chair Torrey Westrom's hard work in stealing away the stand-alone HF3420 after he assumed the gavel after the first conference committee meeting on April 20 for it. They kept those empty talking points about how much they loved farmers but hated trees for weeks.
Let's hope the Senate Republicans behave themselves and pass the report before adjournment.
At Session Daily, Brian Hall reports in Conferees settle differences with agriculture omnibus, drought relief bills:
— UPDATED at 11:35 p.m. with House vote
With time to work dwindling, a conference committee working to reconcile agriculture bills came to an agreement on several appropriations and policy changes Saturday.
The conference committee report to HF3420 combines the omnibus agriculture and broadband supplemental finance and policy bill with one that would provide relief to farmers from the 2021 drought.
It was passed 69-64 by the House a few hours later. It now awaits Senate action.
“We’ve got a very strong, solid bill for the state of Minnesota on all the fronts for farmers, for agriculture, for rural broadband and the connectivity that’s become so important in our lives,” said Sen. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake), who sponsors the bill with Rep. Mike Sundin (DFL-Esko). “We can be, I think, proud as a conference committee to be a big piece of this policy and financing that will be moving forward.”
“It’s been somewhat of a longer journey than probably necessary, but I think we hit on all the points,” Sundin said. “Had we had more money, it would have been a little better bill.”
The combined total in new appropriations for agriculture, drought relief and broadband would be $50.9 million from the General Fund in the current biennium and $32.5 million in the next biennium.
Funding was a sticking point in deliberations, with the House looking for $60 million in new funding this biennium and the Senate proposal adding just $5 million. With guidance from Gov. Tim Walz and caucus leadership, a $7.5 million in additional agricultural spending was agreed upon.
Under the agreement, the Department of Agriculture would receive an additional $1.5 million in fiscal year 2022 and $6 million in fiscal year 2023. And $7.5 million would be added to the department’s base in the next biennium.
[MORE: View the spreadsheet]
Some of the new policies and programs would:
- establish a cooperative grants program;
- establish farm down payment assistance grants;
- add a member with knowledge of cybersecurity to the Food Safety and Defense Task Force;
- establish a soil health financial assistance pilot program; and
- require several reports to the Legislature, including from the Grain Advisory Group.
[MORE: View the agriculture statutory changes]
The committee finally agreed to an $18.4 million package. The Agriculture Department would receive $13.1 million to support farmers hit by the 2021 drought, with $5 million going to the Department of Natural Resources to replace drought-killed seedlings and $300,000 for resolving well interference.
Grants from the Agriculture Department would be offered to farmers or producers in counties designated as a primary natural disaster area from July 19, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2022, or in a contiguous county. Assistance would be available up to $7,500 per farmer based on expenses incurred and attested to in response to the drought.
Among agriculture appropriations, the Senate proposed $7 million in livestock and specialty crop grants, while the House was at $5.1 million. The agreement would appropriate $8.1 million.
Additionally, $2.5 million would be transferred to the Rural Finance Authority, $1.5 million to the Agriculture Emergency Fund and $1 million to the University of Minnesota for veterinary diagnostic laboratory equipment.
Broadband boost
Improving broadband access throughout the state would get a big boost. An appropriation of $25 million from the General Fund in fiscal year 2023 would be transferred to the Border-to-Border Broadband Fund.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development must also prepare a grant application to the U.S. Treasury Department, requesting that $60.7 million of Minnesota’s capital projects fund be allocated for broadband projects.
The total would fund a lower population density pilot program to provide broadband to unserved and underserved areas, as well as a broadband line extension program.
We'll update this post after the Senate acts.
Related posts:
- Annals of nincompoopery: Will common sense prevail in drought relief conference committee?
- Whatever happened in yesterday's drought relief conference committee? Anything today?
- Can Minnesota walk and deal with drought relief, CWD, and avian influence at the same time?
- After wasted weeks in Ag committee, Westrom drops deer farmer special non-drought demands from Minnesota Senate drought aid bill
- Fact check: Did Rep. Paul Anderson say WI farmers got $100 million drought relief?
- MN House passes drought relief bill 101-33
- House to vote on drought relief Thurs afternoon; Senate burdens its bill with deer farmer aid
- Minnesota House Ways & Means Committee passes drought relief bill while senate dawdles
- Second Walz administration drought relief bill meets with GOP crabfest in committee
Photo: Some drought stricken corn. Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
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