Farm Bureau-supported agriculture policy bill signed into law

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Governor Mark Dayton signed the agriculture policy bill that the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate passed earlier in the week.

“We thank Governor Dayton, Chair Magnus, Chair Hamilton and members of the agricultural committees in both the House and Senate and all legislators for passing, on a bipartisan basis, the 2012 Agriculture Policy Bill,” said Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap. “We also want to thank Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson and his staff for their hard work on this bill. This was truly a collaborative effort by everyone to put together and pass a good piece of legislation for Minnesota agriculture.”

Farm Bureau legislative priorities contained in the Agriculture Policy Bill includes:

The biodiesel exception for railroads, mining and logging is extended three years to May 1, 2015 and is expanded to include Coast Guard and ocean going vessels.

The current exception from biodiesel in Number 1 diesel fuel sold during the months of October to March is also extended to May 1, 2015.

The E 20 effective date in Minnesota is extended three years to August 30, 2015.

Current state law limiting the length of a wind easement to seven-years if a wind energy project associated with the easement does not begin commercial operation is extended to June 1, 2017

A Dairy Research, Teaching and Consumer Education Authority will be established to explore the feasibility of building a private/public dairy research facility in Minnesota.

“Passage of the Agriculture Policy Bill by overwhelming numbers on a bipartisan basis is a clear indication of the level of support agriculture has in the Minnesota Legislature and with Governor Dayton and his administration,” said Paap.

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