Policy Articles
Seeking Common Sense Solutions for Climate Smart Ag
Published April 26, 2021
The Growing Climate Solutions Act moved out of the Senate Agriculture Committee last week. Agriculture lobbyist Jim Callan says there is bipartisan support for the bill, but the exact path forward is not clear at this time. "Will it be…MN House Passes Omnibus Tax Bill
Published April 26, 2021
The Minnesota House passed the omnibus tax bill. Representative Paul Marquart says this bill does three things for farmers including an expansion of the beginning farmer program, updates for homestead qualification and fixes to Section 179 depreciation. "Beginning this tax…MN Ethanol Boost Featured in House Omnibus Ag Finance Bill
Published April 26, 2021
The omnibus ag finance bill passed the Minnesota House. Minnesota Corn Growers Association Public Policy Director Amanda Bilek says the bill would boost ethanol blends. "In the House agriculture omnibus finance bill is $2 million per year in funding proposed…ND Lawmakers Work on Securing More Infrastructure Dollars
Published April 26, 2021
An effort to secure at least $30 million for rural roads and infrastructure is still in the works this North Dakota Legislative Session. Senator Terry Wanzek says the funding is attached to the Office of Management and Budget bill. "The…A Time for Compromise
Published April 26, 2021
Lawmakers are expected to wrap up the North Dakota legislative session early this week. A compromise has been made on a tile drainage bill. Landowners are exempt from reporting if the project is less than 80 acres in size and…Private Property Bill Reaches Gov. Burgum’s Desk
Published April 25, 2021
A private property rights bill, SB 2144, has cleared both the North Dakota Senate and House. Specifically, this bill enhances landowners’ criminal trespass protection on fenced land and allows for an electronic posting option. Now, it goes to Governor Doug…North Dakotan on Witness List for Thursday’s Ag Approps Hearing
Published April 24, 2021
The region will be represented in Thursday’s Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on diversifying on-farm income. Brian Carroll, who is the director of the Grand Farm Research and Education Initiative in Fargo, will testify. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven is…Ag Bill Changes the Makeup of MN Board of Animal Health
Published April 23, 2021
This omnibus agriculture bill increases the size of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health from five-to-seven members and changes the makeup of the board An amendment by Aitkin Senator Dale Lueck asked for more time to evaluate these changes. "Let's…Omnibus Ag Bill Moves to Conference
Published April 23, 2021
With a 69-63 vote, the Minnesota House has passed the omnibus agriculture bill. There is over $163 million in funding in the bill for agriculture and broadband in the next biennium. That includes an 8.6 percent increase in funding for…