reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MN Stat § 17.9894 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.9894 — Certifying Agent License.

17.9894 CERTIFYING AGENT LICENSE. Subdivision 1. License. A person who offers certification services to producers as part of the program must satisfy all criteria in subdivision 2 and be licensed by the commissioner. A certifying agent is ineligible to provide certification services to any producer to whom the certifying agent has also provided technical assistance. Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may set license fees. Subd. 2. Certifying agent requirements. In order to be licensed as a certifying agent, a person must: (1) be an agricultural conservation professional employed by a soil and water conservation district or the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a Minnesota certified crop advisor recognized by the American Society of Agronomy, or an individual with agricultural conservation experience approved by the commissioner. The commissioner may establish eligibility criteria by rule; (2) have passed a comprehensive exam, as set by the commissioner, evaluating knowledge of water quality, soil health, best farm management techniques, and the certification instrument; and (3) maintain continuing education requirements as set by the commissioner. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 8
MN Stat § 17.9895 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.9895 — Duties Of A Certifying Agent.

17.9895 DUTIES OF A CERTIFYING AGENT. Subdivision 1. Duties. A certifying agent shall conduct a formal certification assessment utilizing the certification instrument to determine whether a producer meets program criteria. If a producer satisfies all requirements, the certifying agent shall notify the commissioner of the producer's eligibility and request that the commissioner issue a certificate. All records and documents used in the assessment shall be compiled by the certifying agent and submitted to the commissioner. Subd. 2. Violations. (a) In the event a certifying agent violates any provision of sections 17.9891 to 17.993 or an order of the commissioner, the commissioner may issue a written warning or a correction order and may suspend or revoke a license. (b) If the commissioner suspends or revokes a license, the certifying agent has ten days from the date of suspension or revocation to appeal. If a certifying agent appeals, the commissioner shall hold an administrative hearing within 30 days of the suspension or revocation of the license, or longer by agreement of the parties, to determine whether the license is revoked or suspended. The commissioner shall issue an opinion within 30 days. If a person notifies the commissioner that the person intends to contest the commissioner's opinion, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the applicable provisions of chapter 14 for hearings in contested cases. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 9
MN Stat § 17.9896 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.9896 — Certification Procedures.

17.9896 CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES. Subdivision 1. Producer duties. A producer who seeks certification of eligible land shall conduct an initial assessment using the certification instrument, obtain technical assistance if necessary to achieve a satisfactory score on the certification instrument, and apply for certification from a licensed certifying agent. Subd. 2. Owned land. Once certified, if a producer obtains ownership of additional agricultural land, the producer must notify a certifying agent and obtain certification of the additional land within one year in order to retain the producer's original certification. Subd. 3. Leased land. Once certified, if a producer leases additional land, then the producer must notify a certifying agent before farming operations commence on the newly leased land. A producer who operates leased land is not required to implement practices that permanently alter the landscape in order to be certified or remain certified if the land is added following the original certification. A producer who operates leased land must demonstrate sufficient annual crop management practices, consistent with the original certification agreement, in order to remain certified. Subd. 4. Violations. (a) The commissioner may revoke a certification if the producer violates subdivision 2 or 3. (b) The commissioner may revoke a certification and seek reimbursement of any monetary benefit a producer may have received due to certification from a producer who fails to maintain certification criteria. (c) If the commissioner revokes a certification, the producer has 30 days from the date of suspension or revocation to appeal. If a producer appeals, the commissioner shall hold an administrative hearing within 30 days of the suspension or revocation of the certification, or longer by agreement of the parties, to determine whether the certification is revoked or suspended. The commissioner shall issue an opinion within 30 days. If the producer notifies the commissioner that the producer intends to contest the commissioner's opinion, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the applicable provisions of chapter 14 for hearings in contested cases. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 10
MN Stat § 17.9897 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.9897 — Certification Certainty.

17.9897 CERTIFICATION CERTAINTY. (a) Once a producer is certified, the producer: (1) retains certification for up to ten years from the date of certification if the producer complies with the certification agreement, even if the producer does not comply with new state water protection laws or rules that take effect during the certification period; (2) is presumed to be meeting the producer's contribution to any targeted reduction of pollutants during the certification period; (3) is required to continue implementation of practices that maintain the producer's certification; and (4) is required to retain all records pertaining to certification. (b) Paragraph (a) does not preclude enforcement of a local rule or ordinance by a local unit of government. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 11
MN Stat § 17.9898 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.9898 — Audits.

17.9898 AUDITS. The commissioner shall perform random audits of producers and certifying agents to ensure compliance with the program. All producers and certifying agents shall cooperate with the commissioner during these audits, and provide all relevant documents to the commissioner for inspection and copying. Any delay, obstruction, or refusal to cooperate with the commissioner's audit or falsification of or failure to provide required data or information is a violation subject to the provisions of section 17.9895, subdivision 2, or 17.9896, subdivision 4. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 12
MN Stat § 17.9899 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.9899 — Data.

17.9899 DATA. All data collected under the program that identifies a producer or a producer's location are considered nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9, or private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12. The commissioner shall make available summary data of program outcomes on data classified as private or nonpublic under this section. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 13
MN Stat § 17.991 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.991 — Rulemaking.

17.991 RULEMAKING. The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the program. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 14
MN Stat § 17.992 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.992 — Reports.

17.992 REPORTS. The commissioner, in consultation with the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Advisory Committee, commissioner of natural resources, commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, shall issue a biennial report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over agricultural policy on the status of the program. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 15
MN Stat § 17.993 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.993 — Financial Assistance.

17.993 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. The commissioner may use contributions from gifts or other state accounts, provided that the purpose of the expenditure is consistent with the purpose of the accounts, for grants, loans, or other financial assistance. History:   2013 c 114 art 2 s 16
MN Stat § 17A.01 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.01 — Citation.

17A.01 CITATION. This chapter may be cited as the Minnesota Livestock Market Agency and Dealer Licensing Act. History:  1974 c 347 s 1; 1991 c 288 s 1
MN Stat § 17A.02 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.02 — Purpose.

17A.02 PURPOSE. This chapter establishes jurisdiction and authority with the commissioner of agriculture over livestock marketing by requiring financial responsibility and fair trade practices for the benefit and protection of farmers, livestock producers, marketing agencies, dealers, any business entity engaged in the marketing process, and the public. History:  1974 c 347 s 2; 1981 c 54 s 1
MN Stat § 17A.036 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.036 — Custodial Account For Shippers Proceeds.

17A.036 CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT FOR SHIPPERS PROCEEDS. Every market agency engaged in selling livestock on a commission or agency basis in this state shall establish and maintain a separate bank account designated as "custodial account for shippers proceeds." History:   1990 c 530 s 19
MN Stat § 17A.05 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.05 — Amount Of Bonds.

17A.05 AMOUNT OF BONDS. Subdivision 1. Livestock market agencies. The amount of each livestock market agency bond filed with the commissioner shall be not less than $10,000 or such larger amount as required, based on the commissioner's consideration of the principal's financial statement, the volume of business reported, or any other factor the commissioner deems pertinent for the protection of the public. Each such bond shall be executed on a Packers and Stockyards Act form and shall contain the condition clause applicable when the principal sells on commission. A bond equivalent executed in accordance with the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended, (United States Code, title 7, section 181 et seq.) is acceptable. Subd. 2. Livestock dealers. The amount of each livestock dealer bond filed with the commissioner shall be not less than $10,000 or such larger amount as required, based on the commissioner's consideration of the principal's financial statement, the volume of business reported, or any other factor the commissioner deems pertinent for the protection of the public. Each such bond shall contain the condition clause applicable when the principal buys on commission or as a dealer. A livestock dealer's bond shall be executed on a form furnished by the commissioner or in accordance with the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended (United States Code, title 7, section 181 et seq.). When a bond is executed on a state form furnished by the commissioner, the bond shall be for the protection of both the buyer and the seller named in the transaction when the principal fails to pay when due for livestock purchased or sold for the principal's own account or the account of others and shall be limited to the protection of claimants whose residence or principal place of livestock business is in the state of Minnesota at the time of the transaction. If the bond is filed on a form in accordance with the Packers and Stockyards Act, the bond shall cover claimants regardless of place of residence. History:  1974 c 347 s 5; 1977 c 299 s 5; 1984 c 654 art 3 s 23; 1986 c 444; 2000 c 477 s 4
MN Stat § 17A.06 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.06 — Claims Against Bonds.

17A.06 CLAIMS AGAINST BONDS. Subdivision 1. Filing of claims. Any person claiming to be damaged by any breach of the conditions of a bond given by a licensee may enter complaint thereof to the commissioner, which complaint shall be a written statement of the facts constituting the complaint, accompanied by documentary proof of the claim against the licensee. Subd. 2. Hearing on claims. In case of default by the licensee, the commissioner shall have the power to have the matter heard as a contested case pursuant to procedures outlined in chapter 14. No hearing shall be required if all affected parties to a bond claim proceeding waive their right to a hearing and agree to accept the commissioner's determination as to the validity of the claim and the allocation of the proceeds of the bond. Subd. 3. Public notice. Prior to a hearing, the commissioner shall publish a notice setting forth the default of the licensee and requiring all claimants to file proof of claim with the commissioner within 45 days of the date such notice is published or be barred from participating in the proceeds of the bond. Such publication shall be made in a newspaper published in the county in which the licensee's principal place of business is located. The commissioner shall also fulfill any notice requirements prescribed by chapter 14 and rules of the Office of Administrative Hearings. No claim shall be allowed unless it is filed with the commissioner within one year of the date of the transaction. If a livestock market agency or livestock dealer has on file a Packers and Stockyards Act bond and is registered with the Packers and Stockyards Administration, the terms of the bond or that federal agency's regulations will control. History:  1974 c 347 s 6; 1977 c 299 s 7; 1977 c 346 s 2,3; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1983 c 216 art 1 s 8; 1984 c 654 art 3 s 24; 1986 c 444
MN Stat § 17A.07 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.07 — Prohibited Conduct.

17A.07 PROHIBITED CONDUCT. It shall be unlawful for any person to (1) carry on the business of a livestock market agency, livestock dealer, or public stockyard without a valid and effective license issued by the commissioner under the provisions of section 17A.04; (2) carry on the business of a livestock market agency or livestock dealer without filing and maintaining a valid and effective surety bond in conformity with sections 17A.04 and 17A.05; (3) carry on the business of a livestock market agency or livestock dealer if the person cannot pay debts as they become due or ceases to pay debts in the ordinary course of business as they become due; (4) use or allow to be used any livestock scale or monorail scale which has not been certified and approved for official use or has been found to be inaccurate; (5) fail to maintain and operate livestock or monorail scales in a manner to ensure accurate and correct weights; (6) weigh livestock or carcasses at other than true and correct weights or issue accounts and records on the basis of inaccurate or incorrect weights; (7) engage in or use any unfair or deceptive practice or device in connection with marketing of livestock; (8) willfully make or cause to be made any false entry or statement of fact in any application, financial statement or report filed with the department under this chapter. History:  1974 c 347 s 7; 1984 c 654 art 3 s 25; 1986 c 444
MN Stat § 17A.08 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.08 — Record Keeping.

17A.08 RECORD KEEPING. Every person shall make and retain such accounts, records, and memoranda necessary to fully and correctly disclose all transactions involved in the person's business, including the true ownership of such business by stockholding or otherwise. Whenever the commissioner finds that the accounts, records, and memoranda of any such person do not fully and correctly disclose all transactions involved in the person's business, the commissioner may prescribe the manner or form and length of time for retention which such accounts, records, and memoranda shall be kept. The commissioner shall at all reasonable times have access to, for the purpose of examination, and the right to copy any documentary evidence of any person being investigated or proceeded against. History:  1974 c 347 s 8; 1986 c 444
MN Stat § 17A.09 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.09 — Feeder Pig Markets.

17A.09 FEEDER PIG MARKETS. The commissioner may, by rules promulgated in accordance with sections 14.05 to 14.28, establish requirements for record making and retention, of livestock purchases and sales by operators of feeder pig markets, as the commissioner deems necessary to protect the public. History:  1974 c 347 s 9; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 56
MN Stat § 17A.11 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.11 — Fees For Livestock Weighing.

17A.11 FEES FOR LIVESTOCK WEIGHING. The commissioner shall prescribe the fee necessary to cover the cost of state weighing, to be assessed and collected from the seller in the manner the commissioner may prescribe. The fee assessed must be the same, and the manner of collection of the fee must be uniform at all facilities. At any location where state weighing is performed in accordance with this chapter and the total annual fees collected are insufficient to pay the cost of the weighing, the annual deficit shall be assessed and collected in the manner the commissioner may prescribe. Additional money arising from the weighing of animals by the commissioner, which has been collected and retained by any person, shall be paid on demand to the commissioner. All money collected by the commissioner shall be deposited in the agricultural fund and credited to the livestock weighing account. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner to carry out the duties of section 17A.10 and for activities and duties required under chapter 31B. History:  1974 c 347 s 11; 1977 c 299 s 9; 1984 c 654 art 3 s 27; 1985 c 241 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 10 s 45; 1993 c 172 s 22; 1999 c 231 s 36
MN Stat § 17A.12 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.12 — Weighmaster Qualifications.

17A.12 WEIGHMASTER QUALIFICATIONS. No state livestock weighmaster shall, during the weighmaster's term of service, be in any manner financially interested in the handling, shipping, purchase, or sale of livestock or in the employment of any person engaged therein. History:  1974 c 347 s 12; 1984 c 654 art 3 s 28
MN Stat § 17A.13 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.13 — Gross Misdemeanors.

17A.13 GROSS MISDEMEANORS. Any weigher who shall knowingly or carelessly weigh any livestock improperly, or give any false certificate of weight, or accept money or other consideration directly or indirectly for any neglect or improper performance of duty, or who shall be guilty of any neglect of duty, and any person who shall improperly influence or attempt to influence any such weigher in the performance of a duty by preventing proper access to the scales used in the weighing of livestock, or otherwise, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. History:  1974 c 347 s 13; 1986 c 444
MN Stat § 17A.14 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.14 — Penalties.

17A.14 PENALTIES. Subdivision 1. Criminal penalties. Any person, duly licensed or otherwise, who violates this chapter, for which violation a penalty has not been specifically set out, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any subsequent violation is a gross misdemeanor. Subd. 2. Civil penalties. (a) The commissioner, as an alternate to misdemeanor prosecution, may impose a civil penalty on a person who violates a statute or rule enforceable by the commissioner. For a first violation, the commissioner may impose a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each violation. For a second or succeeding violation, the commissioner may impose a penalty of not more than $1,000 for each violation. (b) In determining the amount of the civil penalty, the commissioner may consider: (1) the willfulness of the violation; (2) the gravity of the violation; (3) the person's history of past violations; (4) the number of violations; (5) the economic benefit from the violations; and (6) other factors identified in the commissioner's citation. (c) For a second or succeeding violation, the commissioner shall determine the amount of a penalty by considering the factors in paragraph (b) and: (1) similarity between the violations; (2) time elapsed since the last violation; and (3) the person's response to the most recent violation. History:  1974 c 347 s 14; 1981 c 54 s 3; 1991 c 288 s 6
MN Stat § 17A.15 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.15 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner.

17A.15 POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER. The commissioner shall enforce the provisions of Laws 1974, chapter 347 and shall promulgate, in the manner provided by law, such rules as the commissioner deems necessary or desirable, and may cooperate with any department of state or government, to carry out the provisions of sections 17A.01 to 17A.15. The commissioner or a duly authorized agent shall have the power to issue subpoenas, administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, receive evidence, and shall have the power to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all such documentary evidence relating to any matter under investigation or administrative proceeding. History:  1974 c 347 s 15; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444
MN Stat § 17A.151 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17A — Livestock Market Agency And Dealer Licensing|Section 17A.151 — Duty To Prosecute.

17A.151 DUTY TO PROSECUTE. It is the duty of each county attorney or city attorney to whom the commissioner reports a violation of this chapter to cause appropriate proceedings to be instituted in the proper courts without delay and to be prosecuted in the manner required by law. Before a violation of this chapter is reported to a county attorney or city attorney for the institution of a criminal proceeding, the person against whom the proceeding is contemplated must be given appropriate notice and an opportunity to present views before the commissioner or the commissioner's designated agent, either orally or in writing, in person, or by attorney, with regard to the contemplated proceeding. History:   1991 c 288 s 8