There’s one month left for the Minnesota Legislative session. Minnesota House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division chair Jeanne Poppe says for the next few weeks, there’s going to be work on agricultural policy and agricultural finance bills. “We anticipate there isn’t money, but we do have some things we’re trying to find money for including a veterinary diagnostic lab. We are looking at some solutions and hope to have an ag policy bill,” says Poppe. “Obviously, we’re looking at a bonding bill. If we can get a few of those things done by May 18, that would be good. There’s a likelihood we’ll be in a special session sometime during the summer and fall depending on how things go in the coming weeks.” Last week, lawmakers passed a fourth coronavirus relief package, which includes a few ag provisions. The bill temporarily extends the farmer-lender mediation program and provides funding for the Second Harvest Heartland food bank. “This will also help with the supply chain a bit.” Poppe says legislative work will continue remotely. There will be people in St. Paul, working in their offices, cars or homes. That could change after May 4 and this is still up in the air as states consider solutions to reopen economies.
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