Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF1704 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		1.1 A bill for an act
2		-	1.2 relating to state government; establishing a budget for the Department of
3		-	1.3 Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research
4		-	1.4 Institute, and the Office of Broadband Development; making policy and technical
5		-	1.5 changes to agricultural provisions; making policy and technical changes to
6		-	1.6 broadband provisions; authorizing rulemaking; requiring reports; appropriating
7		-	1.7 money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 17.133, subdivision 2;
8		-	1.8 18C.005, by adding a subdivision; 41A.16, subdivision 7; 326B.198, subdivisions
9		-	1.9 2, 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 18C.
10		-	1.10BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
11		-	1.11 ARTICLE 1
12		-	1.12 APPROPRIATIONS
13		-	1.13Section 1. AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS.
14		-	1.14 The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
15		-	1.15and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
16		-	1.16or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
17		-	1.17The figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
18		-	1.18them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively.
19		-	1.19"The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium"
20		-	1.20is fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
21		-	1.21 APPROPRIATIONS
22		-	1.22 Available for the Year
23		-	1.23 Ending June 30
24		-	20271.24 2026
25		-	1.25Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
26		-	59,032,000$62,388,000$1.26Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
27		-	1Article 1 Sec. 2.
28		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT
	2	+	1.2 relating to agriculture; appropriating money to the Board of Animal Health.
	3	+	1.3BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
	4	+	1.4 Section 1. APPROPRIATION; BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH.
	5	+	1.5 $6,700,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $6,834,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
	6	+	1.6the general fund to the Board of Animal Health for the purposes of carrying out the board's
	7	+	1.7duties under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 35.
	8	+	1Section 1.
	9	+	REVISOR BD/NS 25-0392502/13/25
29	10		State of Minnesota
30	11		This Document can be made available
31	12		in alternative formats upon request
32	13		HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
33	14		H. F. No. 1704
34	15		NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
35		-	Authored by Anderson, P. H.; Lawrence and Gander02/27/2025
36		-	The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy
37		-	Adoption of Report: Amended and re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means03/13/2025 2.1 Appropriations by Fund
38		-	20272.2 2026
39		-	58,633,00061,989,0002.3General
40		-	399,000399,0002.4Remediation
41		-	2.5The amounts that may be spent for each
42		-	2.6purpose are specified in the following
43		-	2.7subdivisions.
44		-	2.8Subd. 2.Protection Services
45		-	2.9 Appropriations by Fund
46		-	20272.10 2026
47		-	22,836,00022,333,0002.11General
48		-	399,000399,0002.12Remediation
49		-	2.13(a) $399,000 the first year and $399,000 the
50		-	2.14second year are from the remediation fund for
51		-	2.15administrative funding for the voluntary
52		-	2.16cleanup program.
53		-	2.17(b) $639,000 the first year and $639,000 the
54		-	2.18second year are for the soil health financial
55		-	2.19assistance program under Minnesota Statutes,
56		-	2.20section 17.134. The commissioner may award
57		-	2.21no more than $50,000 of the appropriation
58		-	2.22each year to a single recipient. The
59		-	2.23commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
60		-	2.24this appropriation for costs incurred to
61		-	2.25administer the program. Any unencumbered
62		-	2.26balance does not cancel at the end of the first
63		-	2.27year and is available in the second year.
64		-	2.28Appropriations encumbered under contract on
65		-	2.29or before June 30, 2027, for soil health
66		-	2.30financial assistance grants are available until
67		-	2.31June 30, 2029.
68		-	2.32(c) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
69		-	2.33second year are for compensation for
70		-	2.34destroyed or crippled livestock under
71		-	2Article 1 Sec. 2.
72		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 3.1Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737. The first
73		-	3.2year appropriation may be spent to compensate
74		-	3.3for livestock that were destroyed or crippled
75		-	3.4during fiscal year 2025. If the amount in the
76		-	3.5first year is insufficient, the amount in the
77		-	3.6second year is available in the first year. The
78		-	3.7commissioner may use up to $5,000 each year
79		-	3.8to reimburse expenses incurred by university
80		-	3.9extension educators to provide fair market
81		-	3.10values of destroyed or crippled livestock. If
82		-	3.11the commissioner receives federal money to
83		-	3.12pay claims for destroyed or crippled livestock,
84		-	3.13an equivalent amount of this appropriation
85		-	3.14may be used to reimburse nonlethal prevention
86		-	3.15methods performed by federal wildlife services
87		-	3.16staff.
88		-	3.17(d) $310,000 the first year and $310,000 the
89		-	3.18second year are for compensation for crop
90		-	3.19damage under Minnesota Statutes, section
91		-	3.203.7371. If the amount in the first year is
92		-	3.21insufficient, the amount in the second year is
93		-	3.22available in the first year. The commissioner
94		-	3.23may use up to $10,000 of the appropriation
95		-	3.24each year to reimburse expenses incurred by
96		-	3.25the commissioner or the commissioner's
97		-	3.26approved agent to investigate and resolve
98		-	3.27claims, as well as for costs associated with
99		-	3.28training for approved agents. The
100		-	3.29commissioner may use up to $40,000 of the
101		-	3.30appropriation each year for grants to producers
102		-	3.31for measures to protect stored crops from elk
103		-	3.32damage. If the commissioner determines that
104		-	3.33claims made under Minnesota Statutes, section
105		-	3.343.737 or 3.7371, are unusually high, amounts
106		-	3.35appropriated for either program may be
107		-	3Article 1 Sec. 2.
108		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 4.1transferred to the appropriation for the other
109		-	4.2program.
110		-	4.3(e) $825,000 the first year and $825,000 the
111		-	4.4second year are to replace capital equipment
112		-	4.5in the Department of Agriculture's analytical
113		-	4.6laboratory.
114		-	4.7(f) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
115		-	4.8second year are to support a meat processing
116		-	4.9liaison position to assist new or existing meat
117		-	4.10and poultry processing operations in getting
118		-	4.11started, expanding, growing, or transitioning
119		-	4.12into new business models.
120		-	4.13(g) $420,000 the first year and $923,000 the
121		-	4.14second year are for additional funding to
122		-	4.15maintain the current level of service delivery
123		-	4.16for programs under this subdivision.
124		-	4.17(h) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
125		-	4.18the second year are for grants to counties to
126		-	4.19support county agricultural inspectors under
127		-	4.20section 13. These are onetime appropriations.
128		-	4.21The commissioner of agriculture may use up
129		-	4.22to three percent of the appropriation each year
130		-	4.23for administration.
131		-	4.24(i) $850,000 the first year and $850,000 the
132		-	4.25second year are for additional meat and poultry
133		-	4.26inspection services. The commissioner is
134		-	4.27encouraged to seek inspection waivers,
135		-	4.28matching federal money, and offer more online
136		-	4.29inspections for the purposes of this paragraph.
137		-	4.30(j) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000
138		-	4.31the second year are appropriated to establish
139		-	4.32and administer the biofertilizer innovation and
140		-	4.33efficiency program. The commissioner may
141		-	4.34use up to 6.5 percent of this appropriation for
142		-	4Article 1 Sec. 2.
143		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 5.1costs incurred to administer the program.
144		-	5.2Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
145		-	5.316A.28, any unencumbered balance at the end
146		-	5.4of fiscal year 2026 does not cancel and is
147		-	5.5available until June 30, 2027.
148		-	24,676,00024,676,000
149		-	5.6Subd. 3.Agricultural Marketing and
150		-	5.7Development
151		-	5.8(a) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
152		-	5.9second year are to expand international trade
153		-	5.10opportunities and markets for Minnesota
154		-	5.11agricultural products.
155		-	5.12(b) $634,000 the first year and $634,000 the
156		-	5.13second year are for the continuation of the
157		-	5.14dairy development and profitability
158		-	5.15enhancement programs, including dairy
159		-	5.16profitability teams and dairy business planning
160		-	5.17grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
161		-	5.1832D.30.
162		-	5.19(c) The commissioner may use money
163		-	5.20appropriated in this subdivision for annual
164		-	5.21cost-share payments to resident farmers or
165		-	5.22entities that sell, process, or package
166		-	5.23agricultural products in Minnesota for the
167		-	5.24costs of organic certification. The
168		-	5.25commissioner may allocate these funds for
169		-	5.26assistance to persons transitioning from
170		-	5.27conventional to organic agriculture.
171		-	5.28(d) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
172		-	5.29second year are for mental health outreach and
173		-	5.30support to farmers, ranchers, farm workers
174		-	5.31and employees, and others in the agricultural
175		-	5.32profession and for farm and farm worker
176		-	5.33safety grant and outreach programs under
177		-	5.34Minnesota Statutes, section 17.1195. Mental
178		-	5.35health outreach and support may include a
179		-	5Article 1 Sec. 2.
180		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 6.124-hour hotline, stigma reduction, and
181		-	6.2education. Notwithstanding Minnesota
182		-	6.3Statutes, section 16A.28, any unencumbered
183		-	6.4balance does not cancel at the end of the first
184		-	6.5year and is available in the second year. These
185		-	6.6are onetime appropriations.
186		-	6.7(e) $20,082,000 the first year and $20,082,000
187		-	6.8the second year are for the agricultural growth,
188		-	6.9research, and innovation program under
189		-	6.10Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.12. Except
190		-	6.11as provided in paragraph (f), the commissioner
191		-	6.12may allocate this appropriation each year
192		-	6.13among the following areas: (1) facilitating the
193		-	6.14start-up, modernization, improvement, or
194		-	6.15expansion of livestock operations, including
195		-	6.16beginning and transitioning livestock
196		-	6.17operations with preference given to robotic
197		-	6.18dairy-milking equipment; (2) assisting
198		-	6.19value-added agricultural businesses to begin
199		-	6.20or expand, to access new markets, or to
200		-	6.21diversify, including aquaponics systems, with
201		-	6.22preference given to hemp fiber processing
202		-	6.23equipment; (3) facilitating the start-up,
203		-	6.24modernization, or expansion of other
204		-	6.25beginning and transitioning farms, including
205		-	6.26by providing loans under Minnesota Statutes,
206		-	6.27section 41B.056; (4) sustainable agriculture
207		-	6.28on-farm research and demonstration; (5) the
208		-	6.29development or expansion of food hubs and
209		-	6.30other alternative community-based food
210		-	6.31distribution systems; (6) enhancing renewable
211		-	6.32energy infrastructure and use; (7) crop
212		-	6.33research, including basic and applied turf seed
213		-	6.34research; (8) Farm Business Management
214		-	6.35tuition assistance; (9) supporting the
215		-	6.36commercialization of an innovative material
216		-	6Article 1 Sec. 2.
217		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 7.1additive utilizing agricultural coproducts or
218		-	7.2waste streams to produce fiber-based barrier
219		-	7.3packaging to reduce perfluoroalkyl and
220		-	7.4polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS) and plastics
221		-	7.5in packaging products; and (10) Good
222		-	7.6Agricultural Practices and Good Handling
223		-	7.7Practices certification assistance. The
224		-	7.8commissioner may use up to 6.5 percent of
225		-	7.9this appropriation for costs incurred to
226		-	7.10administer the program.
227		-	7.11(f) Of the amount appropriated for the
228		-	7.12agricultural growth, research, and innovation
229		-	7.13program in paragraph (e):
230		-	7.14(1) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
231		-	7.15the second year are for distribution in equal
232		-	7.16amounts to each of the state's county fairs to
233		-	7.17preserve and promote Minnesota agriculture;
234		-	7.18(2) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000
235		-	7.19the second year are for incentive payments
236		-	7.20under Minnesota Statutes, sections 41A.16,
237		-	7.2141A.17, 41A.18, and 41A.20. Notwithstanding
238		-	7.22Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the first
239		-	7.23year appropriation is available until June 30,
240		-	7.242027, and the second year appropriation is
241		-	7.25available until June 30, 2028. If this
242		-	7.26appropriation exceeds the total amount for
243		-	7.27which all producers are eligible in a fiscal
244		-	7.28year, the balance of the appropriation is
245		-	7.29available for other purposes under this
246		-	7.30paragraph or paragraph (e);
247		-	7.31(3) $4,500,000 the first year and $4,500,000
248		-	7.32the second year are for grants that enable retail
249		-	7.33petroleum dispensers, fuel storage tanks, and
250		-	7.34other equipment to dispense biofuels to the
251		-	7.35public in accordance with the biofuel
252		-	7Article 1 Sec. 2.
253		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 8.1replacement goals established under
254		-	8.2Minnesota Statutes, section 239.7911. A retail
255		-	8.3petroleum dispenser selling petroleum for use
256		-	8.4in spark ignition engines for vehicle model
257		-	8.5years after 2000 is eligible for grant money
258		-	8.6under this clause if the retail petroleum
259		-	8.7dispenser has no more than 20 retail petroleum
260		-	8.8dispensing sites and each site is located in
261		-	8.9Minnesota. The grant money must be used to
262		-	8.10replace or upgrade equipment that does not
263		-	8.11have the ability to be certified for E25. A grant
264		-	8.12award must not exceed $200,000 per station.
265		-	8.13The commissioner must cooperate with biofuel
266		-	8.14stakeholders in the implementation of the grant
267		-	8.15program. The commissioner, in cooperation
268		-	8.16with any economic or community development
269		-	8.17financial institution and any other entity with
270		-	8.18which the commissioner contracts, must
271		-	8.19submit a report on the biofuels infrastructure
272		-	8.20financial assistance program by January 15 of
273		-	8.21each year to the chairs and ranking minority
274		-	8.22members of the legislative committees and
275		-	8.23divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
276		-	8.24policy and finance. The annual report must
277		-	8.25include but not be limited to a summary of the
278		-	8.26following metrics: (i) the number and types
279		-	8.27of projects financed; (ii) the amount of dollars
280		-	8.28leveraged or matched per project; (iii) the
281		-	8.29geographic distribution of financed projects;
282		-	8.30(iv) any market expansion associated with
283		-	8.31upgraded infrastructure; (v) the demographics
284		-	8.32of the areas served; (vi) the costs of the
285		-	8.33program; and (vii) the number of grants to
286		-	8.34minority- or female-owned businesses. The
287		-	8.35base under this clause is $3,000,000 for fiscal
288		-	8.36year 2028 and each year thereafter;
289		-	8Article 1 Sec. 2.
290		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 9.1(4) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000
291		-	9.2the second year are for grants to facilitate the
292		-	9.3start-up, modernization, or expansion of meat,
293		-	9.4poultry, egg, and milk processing facilities. A
294		-	9.5grant award under this clause must not exceed
295		-	9.6$200,000. Any unencumbered balance at the
296		-	9.7end of the second year does not cancel until
297		-	9.8June 30, 2028, and may be used for other
298		-	9.9purposes under this paragraph or paragraph
299		-	9.10(e). The base under this clause is $250,000 in
300		-	9.11fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter;
301		-	9.12(5) up to $1,294,000 the first year and up to
302		-	9.13$1,294,000 the second year are for providing
303		-	9.14more fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, grain,
304		-	9.15and dairy for children in school and early
305		-	9.16childhood education settings, including, at the
306		-	9.17commissioner's discretion, providing grants
307		-	9.18to reimburse schools and early childhood
308		-	9.19education and child care providers for
309		-	9.20purchasing equipment and agricultural
310		-	9.21products. Organizations must participate in
311		-	9.22the National School Lunch Program or the
312		-	9.23Child and Adult Care Food Program to be
313		-	9.24eligible. Of the amount appropriated, $150,000
314		-	9.25each year is for a statewide coordinator of
315		-	9.26farm-to-institution strategy and programming.
316		-	9.27The coordinator must consult with relevant
317		-	9.28stakeholders and provide technical assistance
318		-	9.29and training for participating farmers and
319		-	9.30eligible grant recipients;
320		-	9.31(6) up to $2,000,000 the first year and up to
321		-	9.32$2,000,000 the second year are for urban
322		-	9.33youth agricultural education or urban
323		-	9.34agriculture community development;
324		-	9Article 1 Sec. 2.
325		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 10.1(7) up to $1,000,000 the first year and up to
326		-	10.2$1,000,000 the second year are for the good
327		-	10.3food access program under Minnesota
328		-	10.4Statutes, section 17.1017; and
329		-	10.5(8) $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
330		-	10.6second year are for cooperative development
331		-	10.7grants.
332		-	10.8Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
333		-	10.916A.28, any unencumbered balance does not
334		-	10.10cancel at the end of the first year and is
335		-	10.11available for the second year, and
336		-	10.12appropriations encumbered under contract on
337		-	10.13or before June 30, 2027, for agricultural
338		-	10.14growth, research, and innovation grants are
339		-	10.15available until June 30, 2028.
340		-	10.16(g) The base for the agricultural growth,
341		-	10.17research, and innovation program is
342		-	10.18$17,582,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year
343		-	10.19thereafter.
344		-	11,121,00014,980,000
345		-	10.20Subd. 4.Administration and Financial
346		-	10.21Assistance
347		-	10.22(a) $474,000 the first year and $474,000 the
348		-	10.23second year are for payments to county and
349		-	10.24district agricultural societies and associations
350		-	10.25under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02,
351		-	10.26subdivision 1. Aid payments to county and
352		-	10.27district agricultural societies and associations
353		-	10.28must be disbursed no later than July 15 of each
354		-	10.29year. These payments are the amount of aid
355		-	10.30from the state for an annual fair held in the
356		-	10.31previous calendar year.
357		-	10.32(b) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
358		-	10.33second year are for grants to the Minnesota
359		-	10.34Agricultural Education and Leadership
360		-	10Article 1 Sec. 2.
361		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 11.1Council for programs of the council under
362		-	11.2Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41D.
363		-	11.3(c) $2,000 the first year is for a grant to the
364		-	11.4Minnesota State Poultry Association. This is
365		-	11.5a onetime appropriation.
366		-	11.6(d) $36,000 the first year is for a grant to the
367		-	11.7Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association.
368		-	11.8(e) $120,000 the first year is for a grant to the
369		-	11.9Northern Crops Institute and may be used to
370		-	11.10purchase equipment.
371		-	11.11(f) $68,000 the first year is for a grant to the
372		-	11.12Minnesota State Horticultural Society.
373		-	11.13(g) $50,000 the first year is for a grant to the
374		-	11.14Center for Rural Policy and Development.
375		-	11.15(h) $150,000 the first year is for grants to the
376		-	11.16Minnesota Turf Seed Council for basic and
377		-	11.17applied research on: (1) the improved
378		-	11.18production of forage and turf seed related to
379		-	11.19new and improved varieties; and (2) native
380		-	11.20plants, including plant breeding, nutrient
381		-	11.21management, pest management, disease
382		-	11.22management, yield, and viability. The
383		-	11.23Minnesota Turf Seed Council may subcontract
384		-	11.24with a qualified third party for some or all of
385		-	11.25the basic or applied research. The Minnesota
386		-	11.26Turf Seed Council must prepare a report
387		-	11.27outlining the use of the grant money and
388		-	11.28related accomplishments. No later than
389		-	11.29January 15, 2027, the council must submit the
390		-	11.30report to the chairs and ranking minority
391		-	11.31members of the legislative committees and
392		-	11.32divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
393		-	11.33finance and policy.
394		-	11Article 1 Sec. 2.
395		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 12.1(i) $400,000 the first year is for grants to
396		-	12.2GreenSeam for assistance to
397		-	12.3agriculture-related businesses to support
398		-	12.4business retention and development, business
399		-	12.5attraction and creation, talent development
400		-	12.6and attraction, and regional branding and
401		-	12.7promotion. No later than December 1, 2026,
402		-	12.8and December 1, 2027, GreenSeam must
403		-	12.9report to the chairs and ranking minority
404		-	12.10members of the legislative committees with
405		-	12.11jurisdiction over agriculture and rural
406		-	12.12development with information on new and
407		-	12.13existing businesses supported, number of new
408		-	12.14jobs created in the region, new educational
409		-	12.15partnerships and programs supported, and
410		-	12.16regional branding and promotional efforts.
411		-	12.17(j) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000
412		-	12.18the second year are for grants to Second
413		-	12.19Harvest Heartland on behalf of Minnesota's
414		-	12.20six Feeding America food banks for the
415		-	12.21following purposes:
416		-	12.22(1) at least $850,000 each year must be
417		-	12.23allocated to purchase milk for distribution to
418		-	12.24Minnesota's food shelves and other charitable
419		-	12.25organizations that are eligible to receive food
420		-	12.26from the food banks. Milk purchased with
421		-	12.27grant proceeds must be acquired from
422		-	12.28Minnesota milk processors and based on
423		-	12.29low-cost bids. The milk must be allocated to
424		-	12.30each Feeding America food bank serving
425		-	12.31Minnesota according to the formula used in
426		-	12.32the distribution of United States Department
427		-	12.33of Agriculture commodities under the
428		-	12.34Emergency Food Assistance Program. Second
429		-	12.35Harvest Heartland may enter into contracts or
430		-	12Article 1 Sec. 2.
431		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 13.1agreements with food banks for shared funding
432		-	13.2or reimbursement of the direct purchase of
433		-	13.3milk. Each food bank that receives funding
434		-	13.4under this clause may use up to two percent
435		-	13.5for administrative expenses. Notwithstanding
436		-	13.6Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, any
437		-	13.7unencumbered balance the first year does not
438		-	13.8cancel and is available the second year;
439		-	13.9(2) to compensate agricultural producers and
440		-	13.10processors for costs incurred to harvest and
441		-	13.11package for transfer surplus fruits, vegetables,
442		-	13.12and other agricultural commodities that would
443		-	13.13otherwise go unharvested, be discarded, or be
444		-	13.14sold in a secondary market. Surplus
445		-	13.15commodities must be distributed statewide to
446		-	13.16food shelves and other charitable organizations
447		-	13.17that are eligible to receive food from the food
448		-	13.18banks. Surplus food acquired under this clause
449		-	13.19must be from Minnesota producers and
450		-	13.20processors. Second Harvest Heartland may
451		-	13.21use up to 15 percent of each grant awarded
452		-	13.22under this clause for administrative and
453		-	13.23transportation expenses; and
454		-	13.24(3) to purchase and distribute protein products,
455		-	13.25including but not limited to pork, poultry, beef,
456		-	13.26dry legumes, cheese, and eggs to Minnesota's
457		-	13.27food shelves and other charitable organizations
458		-	13.28that are eligible to receive food from the food
459		-	13.29banks. Second Harvest Heartland may use up
460		-	13.30to two percent of each grant awarded under
461		-	13.31this clause for administrative expenses. Protein
462		-	13.32products purchased using grant proceeds must
463		-	13.33be acquired from Minnesota processors and
464		-	13.34producers.
465		-	13Article 1 Sec. 2.
466		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 14.1Second Harvest Heartland must submit
467		-	14.2quarterly reports to the commissioner and the
468		-	14.3chairs and ranking minority members of the
469		-	14.4legislative committees with jurisdiction over
470		-	14.5agriculture finance in the form prescribed by
471		-	14.6the commissioner. The reports must include
472		-	14.7but are not limited to information on the
473		-	14.8expenditure of money, the amount of milk or
474		-	14.9other commodities purchased, and the
475		-	14.10organizations to which this food was
476		-	14.11distributed.
477		-	14.12(k) $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the
478		-	14.13second year are for grants to the Southern
479		-	14.14Minnesota Initiative Foundation to promote
480		-	14.15local foods through an annual event that raises
481		-	14.16public awareness of local foods and connects
482		-	14.17local food producers and processors with
483		-	14.18potential buyers.
484		-	14.19(l) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the
485		-	14.20second year are for the Emerging Farmers
486		-	14.21Office to provide services to beginning and
487		-	14.22emerging farmers to increase connections
488		-	14.23between farmers and market opportunities
489		-	14.24throughout Minnesota. This appropriation may
490		-	14.25be used for grants, translation services,
491		-	14.26training programs, or other purposes in line
492		-	14.27with the recommendations of the emerging
493		-	14.28farmer working group established under
494		-	14.29Minnesota Statutes, section 17.055,
495		-	14.30subdivision 1.
496		-	14.31(m) $337,000 the first year and $337,000 the
497		-	14.32second year are for farm advocate services.
498		-	14.33Of these amounts, $50,000 the first year and
499		-	14.34$50,000 the second year are for the
500		-	14.35continuation of the farmland transition
501		-	14Article 1 Sec. 2.
502		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 15.1programs and may be used for grants to
503		-	15.2farmland access teams to provide technical
504		-	15.3assistance to potential beginning farmers.
505		-	15.4Farmland access teams must assist existing
506		-	15.5farmers and beginning farmers with
507		-	15.6transitioning farm ownership and farm
508		-	15.7operation. Services provided by teams may
509		-	15.8include but are not limited to mediation
510		-	15.9assistance, designing contracts, financial
511		-	15.10planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and
512		-	15.11housing assistance.
513		-	15.12(n) $260,000 the first year and $260,000 the
514		-	15.13second year are for a pass-through grant to
515		-	15.14Region Five Development Commission to
516		-	15.15provide, in collaboration with Farm Business
517		-	15.16Management, statewide mental health
518		-	15.17counseling support to Minnesota farm
519		-	15.18operators, families, and employees, and
520		-	15.19individuals who work with Minnesota farmers
521		-	15.20in a professional capacity. Region Five
522		-	15.21Development Commission may use up to 6.5
523		-	15.22percent of the grant awarded under this
524		-	15.23paragraph for administration.
525		-	15.24(o) $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
526		-	15.25second year are for administrative support for
527		-	15.26the Rural Finance Authority.
528		-	15.27(p) $137,000 the first year and $204,000 the
529		-	15.28second year are to maintain the current level
530		-	15.29of service delivery.
531		-	15.30(q) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
532		-	15.31the second year are to award and administer
533		-	15.32down payment assistance grants under
534		-	15.33Minnesota Statutes, section 17.133, with
535		-	15.34priority given to eligible applicants with no
536		-	15.35more than $100,000 in annual gross farm
537		-	15Article 1 Sec. 2.
538		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 16.1product sales and eligible applicants who are
539		-	16.2producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or one
540		-	16.3or more of the following specialty crops as
541		-	16.4defined by the United States Department of
542		-	16.5Agriculture for purposes of the specialty crop
543		-	16.6block grant program: fruits and vegetables,
544		-	16.7tree nuts, dried fruits, medicinal plants,
545		-	16.8culinary herbs and spices, horticulture crops,
546		-	16.9floriculture crops, and nursery crops.
547		-	16.10Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
548		-	16.1116A.28, any unencumbered balance at the end
549		-	16.12of the first year does not cancel and is
550		-	16.13available in the second year and appropriations
551		-	16.14encumbered under contract by June 30, 2027,
552		-	16.15are available until June 30, 2029.
553		-	16.16(r) $3,100,000 the first year is for a grant to
554		-	16.17First District Association for a wastewater
555		-	16.18pretreatment project.
556		-	16.19(s) The commissioner shall continue to
557		-	16.20increase connections between ethnic minority
558		-	16.21and immigrant farmers to farming
559		-	16.22opportunities and farming programs
560		-	16.23throughout Minnesota.
561		-	6,767,000$6,767,000$16.24Sec. 3. BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH
562		-	16.25(a) $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
563		-	16.26second year are for agricultural emergency
564		-	16.27preparedness and response.
565		-	16.28(b) $357,000 the first year and $357,000 the
566		-	16.29second year are to maintain the current level
567		-	16.30of service delivery.
568		-	4,434,000$4,388,000$
569		-	16.31Sec. 4. AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION
570		-	16.32RESEARCH INSTITUTE
571		-	16Article 1 Sec. 4.
572		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 17.1$45,000 the first year and $91,000 the second
573		-	17.2year are to maintain the current level of service
574		-	17.3delivery.
575		-	17.4 Sec. 5. TRANSFERS.
576		-	17.5 (a) $100,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $100,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred from
577		-	17.6the general fund to the pollinator research account established under Minnesota Statutes,
578		-	17.7section 18B.051. This transfer is $100,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
579		-	17.8 (b) $186,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $186,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred from
580		-	17.9the general fund to the Minnesota grown account and may be used as grants for Minnesota
581		-	17.10Grown promotion under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.102. Notwithstanding Minnesota
582		-	17.11Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered under contract on or before June
583		-	17.1230, 2027, for Minnesota Grown grants in this paragraph are available until June 30, 2029.
584		-	17.13This transfer is $186,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
585		-	17.14 (c) $10,852,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $10,852,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred
586		-	17.15from the general fund to the agriculture research, education, extension, and technology
587		-	17.16transfer account under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14, subdivision 3, and the
588		-	17.17commissioner shall transfer funds each year to the Board of Regents of the University of
589		-	17.18Minnesota for purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clauses (1)
590		-	17.19and (2), and must supplement and not supplant existing sources and levels of funding. The
591		-	17.20commissioner may use up to one percent of this transfer for costs incurred to administer
592		-	17.21this program.
593		-	17.22 (d) Of the amount transferred for the agriculture research, education, extension, and
594		-	17.23technology transfer grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.14:
595		-	17.24 (1) $600,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $600,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for the Minnesota
596		-	17.25Agricultural Experiment Station's agriculture rapid response fund under Minnesota Statutes,
597		-	17.26section 41A.14, subdivision 1, clause (2);
598		-	17.27 (2) up to $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and up to $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for
599		-	17.28research on avian influenza, salmonella, and other turkey-related diseases and disease
600		-	17.29prevention measures;
601		-	17.30 (3) $2,750,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,750,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for grants to
602		-	17.31the Minnesota Agricultural Educational Leadership Council to enhance agricultural education
603		-	17.32with priority given to Farm Business Management challenge grants;
604		-	17.33 (4) $350,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for potato research;
605		-	17Article 1 Sec. 5.
606		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 18.1 (5) $802,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $802,000 in fiscal year 2027 are to fund the Forever
607		-	18.2Green Initiative and protect Minnesota's natural resources while increasing the efficiency,
608		-	18.3profitability, and productivity of Minnesota farmers by incorporating perennial and winter
609		-	18.4annual crops into existing agricultural practices. By February 1 each year, the dean of the
610		-	18.5College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Sciences must submit a report to the
611		-	18.6chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
612		-	18.7agriculture finance and policy and higher education detailing uses of the money in this
613		-	18.8paragraph, including administrative costs, and the achievements this money contributed to;
614		-	18.9 (6) $200,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $200,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for research on
615		-	18.10natural strands of wild rice; and
616		-	18.11 (7) $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2027 are for the cultivated
617		-	18.12wild rice forward selection project at the North Central Research and Outreach Center,
618		-	18.13including a tenure track or research associate plant scientist.
619		-	18.14The transfer for the agricultural research, education, extension, and technology transfer
620		-	18.15program is $10,852,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
621		-	18.16 (e) $1,425,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,425,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred
622		-	18.17from the general fund to the agricultural and environmental revolving loan account
623		-	18.18established under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117, subdivision 5, for low-interest loans
624		-	18.19under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117. This transfer is $1,425,000 in fiscal year 2028
625		-	18.20and each year thereafter.
626		-	18.21Sec. 6. CANCELLATION.
627		-	18.22 $3,000,000 of the fiscal year 2024 general fund appropriation for grants to cooperatives
628		-	18.23to invest in green fertilizer production facilities under Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 10,
629		-	18.24section 4, is canceled.
630		-	18.25Sec. 7. FISCAL YEAR 2025 APPROPRIATIONS.
631		-	18.26 (a) $125,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture for
632		-	18.27compensation for destroyed or crippled livestock under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737.
633		-	18.28The commissioner of agriculture may use up to $5,000 to reimburse expenses incurred by
634		-	18.29university extension educators to provide fair market values of destroyed or crippled
635		-	18.30livestock. If the commissioner of agriculture receives federal funding to pay claims for
636		-	18.31destroyed or crippled livestock, an equivalent amount of this appropriation may be used to
637		-	18Article 1 Sec. 7.
638		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 19.1reimburse nonlethal prevention methods performed by federal wildlife services staff. This
639		-	19.2is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.
640		-	19.3 (b) $125,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture for
641		-	19.4compensation for crop damage under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.7371. The commissioner
642		-	19.5of agriculture may use up to $10,000 of the appropriation to reimburse expenses incurred
643		-	19.6by the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner of agriculture's approved agent to
644		-	19.7investigate and resolve claims, as well as for costs associated with training for approved
645		-	19.8agents. The commissioner of agriculture may use up to $40,000 of the appropriation to make
646		-	19.9grants to producers for measures to protect stored crops from elk damage. If the commissioner
647		-	19.10of agriculture determines that claims made under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737 or
648		-	19.113.7371 are unusually high, amounts appropriated for either program may be transferred to
649		-	19.12the appropriation for the other program. This is a onetime appropriation and is available
650		-	19.13until June 30, 2026.
651		-	19.14 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
652		-	19.15Sec. 8. FISCAL YEAR 2025 TRANSFER.
653		-	19.16 $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2025 is transferred from the general fund to the agricultural
654		-	19.17emergency account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.041.
655		-	19.18 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
656		-	19.19Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.133, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
657		-	19.20 Subd. 2.Grants.The commissioner may award farm down payment assistance grants
658		-	19.21of up to $15,000 per eligible farmer purchasing less than 80 acres of farmland, and up to
659		-	19.22$30,000 per eligible farmer purchasing 80 acres or more of farmland. Each award must be
660		-	19.23matched with at least $8,000 of other funding. Grants under this subdivision may be awarded
661		-	19.24by a randomized selection process after applications are collected over a period of no less
662		-	19.25than 30 calendar days. An eligible farmer must commit to own and farm the land purchased
663		-	19.26with assistance provided under this section for at least five years. For each year that a grant
664		-	19.27recipient does not own and farm the land during the five-year period, the grant recipient
665		-	19.28must pay a penalty to the commissioner equal to 20 percent of the grant amount.
666		-	19.29Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 18C.005, is amended by adding a subdivision
667		-	19.30to read:
668		-	19.31 Subd. 4a.Commercial nitrogen fertilizer."Commercial nitrogen fertilizer" means a
669		-	19.32fertilizer with a nitrogen content that is not less than 25 percent.
670		-	19Article 1 Sec. 10.
671		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 20.1 Sec. 11. [18C.113] BIOFERTILIZER INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY
672		-	20.2PROGRAM.
673		-	20.3 Subdivision 1.Program established.In consultation with the commissioner of natural
674		-	20.4resources and soil and water conservation districts in Minnesota, the commissioner of
675		-	20.5agriculture must develop and administer a biofertilizer innovation and efficiency program
676		-	20.6to address water quality by incentivizing Minnesota farmers to improve nitrogen management
677		-	20.7and incorporate innovative technologies into the farmers' crop nutrient management plans.
678		-	20.8The commissioner must determine which products qualify for the program, including soil
679		-	20.9amendments, fertilizers with nitrogen fixing properties, biological sources of nitrogen, and
680		-	20.10other biofertilizers.
681		-	20.11 Subd. 2.Payments to qualified farmers.(a) In consultation with farmers and the
682		-	20.12fertilizer industry, the commissioner must establish a per-acre payment rate, not less than
683		-	20.13$5 per acre, for payments provided to a qualifying farmer. The program must provide an
684		-	20.14annual per-acre incentive payment to a qualifying farmer who verifies through documentation
685		-	20.15that the farmer has reduced commercial nitrogen fertilizer rates by using a qualifying product
686		-	20.16in the farmer's crop nutrient management plans by the lesser of:
687		-	20.17 (1) 15 percent; or
688		-	20.18 (2) 30 pounds per acre.
689		-	20.19 (b) The commissioner must annually review and may adjust the per-acre payment rate
690		-	20.20based on inflation and emerging fertilizer technology.
691		-	20.21 Subd. 3.Qualifications.To qualify for the biofertilizer water preservation program, a
692		-	20.22farmer must:
693		-	20.23 (1) be a Minnesota resident operating farmland located in Minnesota;
694		-	20.24 (2) submit documentation to the commissioner, including a crop nutrient management
695		-	20.25plan that will reduce the use of commercial nitrogen fertilizers at the reduction rate required
696		-	20.26under subdivision 2 by using a qualifying product determined by the commissioner under
697		-	20.27subdivision 1; and
698		-	20.28 (3) enroll a minimum of 40 eligible acres.
699		-	20.29 Subd. 4.Review required.Every two years, the commissioner must review:
700		-	20.30 (1) the program's required minimum commercial nitrogen fertilizer reduction rate under
701		-	20.31subdivision 2 and determine whether an increase in the minimum reduction rate is necessary;
702		-	20.32and
703		-	20Article 1 Sec. 11.
704		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 21.1 (2) additional qualifying products that may be used by farmers in the program. When
705		-	21.2making this determination, the commissioner must consider newly available technologies
706		-	21.3and products capable of reducing commercial nitrogen fertilizer applications.
707		-	21.4 Subd. 5.Rulemaking required.The commissioner must adopt rules using rulemaking
708		-	21.5authority under section 18C.121, subdivision 1, to implement this section.
709		-	21.6 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 41A.16, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
710		-	21.7 Subd. 7.Eligibility for participants after April 1, 2023.(a) A facility eligible for
711		-	21.8payment under this section must source at least 80 percent raw materials from Minnesota.
712		-	21.9If a facility is sited 50 miles or less from the state border, raw materials may be sourced
713		-	21.10from within a 100-mile radius. Raw materials must be from agricultural or forestry sources
714		-	21.11or from solid waste. The facility must be located in Minnesota, must begin production at a
715		-	21.12specific location after April 1, 2023, and before June 30, 2025, and must not begin operating
716		-	21.13above 23,750 MMbtu of quarterly advanced biofuel production before July 1, 2015. Eligible
717		-	21.14facilities include existing companies and facilities that are adding advanced biofuel
718		-	21.15production capacity, or retrofitting existing capacity, as well as new companies and facilities.
719		-	21.16Production of conventional corn ethanol and conventional biodiesel is not eligible. Eligible
720		-	21.17advanced biofuel facilities must produce at least 23,750 MMbtu of biofuel quarterly.
721		-	21.18 (b) No payments shall be made for advanced biofuel production that occurs after June
722		-	21.1930, 2035, for those eligible biofuel producers under paragraph (a).
723		-	21.20 (c) An eligible producer of advanced biofuel shall not transfer the producer's eligibility
724		-	21.21for payments under this section to an advanced biofuel facility at a different location.
725		-	21.22 (d) A producer that ceases production for any reason is ineligible to receive payments
726		-	21.23under this section until the producer resumes production.
727		-	21.24 (e) Renewable chemical production for which payment has been received under section
728		-	21.2541A.17, and biomass thermal production for which payment has been received under section
729		-	21.2641A.18, are not eligible for payment under this section.
730		-	21.27 (f) Biobutanol is eligible under this section.
731		-	21.28Sec. 13. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL INSPECTORS.
732		-	21.29 (a) To be eligible for grants under this section, a county must employ a county agricultural
733		-	21.30inspector or a county-designated employee who:
734		-	21Article 1 Sec. 13.
735		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 22.1 (1) has attended training for new county agricultural inspectors offered by the
736		-	22.2commissioner of agriculture;
737		-	22.3 (2) coordinates with the commissioner of agriculture to review applicable laws and
738		-	22.4enforcement procedures;
739		-	22.5 (3) compiles and submits to the commissioner of agriculture local weed inspector annual
740		-	22.6report data;
741		-	22.7 (4) conducts an annual meeting and training for local weed inspectors; and
742		-	22.8 (5) assists the commissioner of agriculture with control programs and other agricultural
743		-	22.9programs when requested under Minnesota Statutes, section 18.81, subdivision 1b, as
744		-	22.10directed by the county board.
745		-	22.11 (b) County agricultural inspectors and county-designated employees must annually
746		-	22.12submit an application, on a form approved by the commissioner of agriculture, to be eligible
747		-	22.13for funding during a given year. The commissioner of agriculture must equally divide
748		-	22.14available grant money among eligible counties.
749		-	22.15 ARTICLE 2
750		-	22.16 BROADBAND
751		-	22.17Section 1. BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS.
752		-	22.18 The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
753		-	22.19and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
754		-	22.20or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
755		-	22.21The figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
756		-	22.22them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively.
757		-	22.23"The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium"
758		-	22.24is fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
759		-	22.25 APPROPRIATIONS
760		-	22.26 Available for the Year
761		-	22.27 Ending June 30
762		-	202722.28 2026
763		-	1,001,000$1,001,000$
764		-	22.29Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT
765		-	22.30AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
766		-	22.31$1,001,000 each year is for the Office of
767		-	22.32Broadband Development.
768		-	22Article 2 Sec. 2.
769		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 23.1 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.198, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
770		-	23.2 Subd. 2.Installation requirements.(a) The installation of underground
771		-	23.3telecommunications infrastructure that is located within ten feet of existing underground
772		-	23.4utilities or that crosses the existing underground utilities must be performed by
773		-	23.5safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers as follows:
774		-	23.6 (1) the location of existing utilities by hand- or hydro-excavation or other accepted
775		-	23.7methods must be performed by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer;
776		-	23.8and
777		-	23.9 (2) where telecommunications infrastructure is installed by means of directional drilling,
778		-	23.10the monitoring of the location and depth of the drill head must be performed by a
779		-	23.11safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer; and.
780		-	23.12 (3) no fewer than two safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers must
781		-	23.13be present at all times at any location where telecommunications infrastructure is being
782		-	23.14installed by means of directional drilling.
783		-	23.15 (b) Beginning July 1, 2025, all installations of underground telecommunications
784		-	23.16infrastructure subject to this subdivision within the seven-county metropolitan area must
785		-	23.17be performed by safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers that meet the
786		-	23.18requirements of this subdivision.
787		-	23.19 (c) (b) Beginning January 1, 2026, all installations of underground telecommunications
788		-	23.20infrastructure subject to this subdivision within this state must be performed by
789		-	23.21safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers that meet the requirements of
790		-	23.22this subdivision.
791		-	23.23 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
792		-	23.24Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.198, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
793		-	23.25 Subd. 3.Certification Standards.(a) The commissioner of labor and industry, in
794		-	23.26consultation with the Office of Broadband, shall approve standards for a safety-qualified
795		-	23.27underground telecommunications installer certification program that requires a person to:
796		-	23.28 (1) complete a 40-hour ten-hour initial course that includes classroom and hands-on
797		-	23.29instruction covering proper work procedures for safe installation of underground utilities,
798		-	23.30including:
799		-	23.31 (i) regulations applicable to excavation near existing utilities;
800		-	23Article 2 Sec. 4.
801		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 24.1 (ii) identification, location, and verification of utility lines using hand- or
802		-	24.2hydro-excavation or other accepted methods;
803		-	24.3 (iii) response to line strike incidents;
804		-	24.4 (iv) traffic control procedures;
805		-	24.5 (v) use of a tracking device to safely guide directional drill equipment along a drill path;
806		-	24.6and
807		-	24.7 (vi) avoidance and mitigation of safety hazards posed by underground utility installation
808		-	24.8projects;
809		-	24.9 (2) demonstrate knowledge of the course material by successfully completing an
810		-	24.10examination approved by the commissioner; and
811		-	24.11 (3) complete a four-hour refresher course within three years of completing the original
812		-	24.12course and every three years thereafter in order to maintain certification.
813		-	24.13 (b) The commissioner must develop an approval process for training providers under
814		-	24.14this subdivision and may suspend or revoke the approval of any training provider that fails
815		-	24.15to demonstrate consistent delivery of approved curriculum or success in preparing participants
816		-	24.16to complete the examination.
817		-	24.17 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
818		-	24Article 2 Sec. 4.
819		-	REVISOR BD H1704-1HF1704 FIRST ENGROSSMENT Page.Ln 1.11APPROPRIATIONS...............................................................................ARTICLE 1
820		-	Page.Ln 22.15BROADBAND.......................................................................................ARTICLE 2
821		-	1
822		-	APPENDIX
823		-	Article locations for H1704-1