Minnesota’s drought relief bill for agriculture is expected to be combined with the agriculture finance and policy bill, but it must pass through conference committee first. Minnesota’s Senate and House Ag Committee leaders reached an agreement early Thursday morning. Minnesota Ag Finance and Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sundin calls it a comprehensive little bill. “When I say little, the target we had to shoot for was inadequate. That being said, we touched as many bases as we could to get the agriculture bill done.” Sundin would not dive into many details of the supplemental ag funding bill, because conference committee members have not had a chance to review the language yet. However, Sundin did reveal details of the proposed $18 million drought relief package. The Department of Natural Resources would get $5 million to plant trees and there’s money set aside for wells. When it comes to the ag portion of the bill, “there’s $8.1 million for specialty crop assistance and livestock farmers impacted by drought in the form of grants. About $2.5 million would be transferred into the Rural Finance Authority for drought relief loans. Then, money going toward veterinary assistance and the emergency account.” Sundin does not expect a conference committee meeting to review the bill until Friday. If the bill passes the committee, it could be heard on the House floor tomorrow or Saturday. A broadband bill is also expected to be attached to this package.
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