Agricultural lobbyist Bruce Kleven expects a relatively quiet Minnesota legislative session for agriculture. Speaking at the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers Small Grains Update meetings, Kleven said the state’s fiscal outlook is likely to limit major policy changes. “We start on February 17, and we’ll have about a three-month session that ends in May,” said Kleven. “There’s a budget surplus forecast and then a budget deficit two years after that, so because of that fiscal environment, I just don’t see a lot of action going on.” Kleven said one ag-related issue that could surface involves licensing requirements for mixer handler loader operators. “Right now, under current law, folks driving the water truck have to get a full-blown applicator license, even though they’re not touching the sprayer so we might try to ratchet that back.” Kleven also noted uncertainty in Minnesota politics following Governor Tim Walz’s decision not to seek re-election, adding that potential shifts in leadership could have longer-term implications for agriculture at both the state and federal levels.
