reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MN Stat § 17.696 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.696 — Unfair Practices Of Handlers And Associations.

17.696 UNFAIR PRACTICES OF HANDLERS AND ASSOCIATIONS. Subdivision 1. Unfair practices by handler. Producers of agricultural commodities are free to join together voluntarily in associations as authorized by law without interference by handlers. A handler shall not engage in any of the following practices, defined as unfair practices: (a) To coerce a producer in the exercise of the right to join and belong to or to refrain from joining or belonging to an association or to refuse to deal with a producer because of the exercise of the right to join and belong to an association. (b) To discriminate against a producer with respect to price, quantity, quality or other terms of purchase, acquisition or other handling of agricultural products because of membership in or contract with an association. (c) To coerce or intimidate a producer to breach, cancel or terminate a membership agreement or marketing contract with an association or a contract with a handler. (d) To pay or loan money, give anything of value or offer any other inducement or reward to a producer for refusing or ceasing to belong to an association. (e) To make or circulate unsubstantiated reports about the finances, management or activities of associations or other handlers. (f) To conspire, combine, agree or arrange with any other person to do or aid or abet the doing of any practice which is in violation of sections 17.691 to 17.701. (g) To refuse to bargain with an association with whom the handler has had prior dealings or with an association whose producers in the bargaining units have had dealings with the handler prior to July 1, 1973. Subd. 2. Unfair practices by association. An association shall not engage nor permit an employee or agent to engage in the following practices, defined as unfair practices: (1) coerce a producer in the exercise of the right to join and belong to or to refrain from joining or belonging to an association or refuse to deal with a producer because of the exercise of the right to join and belong to or refrain from joining an association; (2) enter into a contract which discriminates against a producer represented by that association; (3) act in a manner contrary to the bylaws of the association; (4) coerce or intimidate a handler to breach, cancel, or terminate an agreement or marketing contract with an association or a contract with a producer; (5) make or circulate unsubstantiated reports about the finances, management, or activities of other associations or handlers; or (6) conspire, combine, agree, or arrange with another person to do or aid or abet the doing of any practice which is in violation of sections 17.691 to 17.702. History:  1973 c 736 s 6; 1986 c 444; 1998 c 373 s 11; 2001 c 161 s 57
MN Stat § 17.698 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.698 — Factors To Be Considered In Mediation And Arbitration.

17.698 FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION. All decisions of mediation and arbitration which result from section 17.697 must consider the following factors: (1) prices or projected prices for the agricultural commodity paid by the competing handlers in the market area or competing market areas worldwide; (2) amount of the commodity produced or projections of production in the production area or competing marketing areas worldwide; (3) relationship between the quantity produced and the quantity handled by the handler; (4) the producers cost of production including the cost which would be involved in paying farm labor a fair wage rate and providing them with adequate housing; (5) the efficiency of farm operations of similar size and the projected prices of alternative agricultural commodities grown in the market area; (6) the cost of production of similar sized handlers; (7) the average consumer prices for goods and services, commonly known as the cost of living; (8) the component of the agricultural commodity that makes up the producer's income; (9) the impact of the award on the competitive position of the handler in the marketing area or competing areas worldwide; (10) the impact of the award on the competitive position of the agricultural commodity in relationship to competing commodities; (11) a fair return on investment; (12) kind, quality, or grade of the commodity involved; (13) stipulation of the parties; and (14) other factors which are normally or traditionally taken into consideration in determining prices, quality, quantity, and the costs of other services involved. History:  1973 c 736 s 8; 1998 c 373 s 13
MN Stat § 17.70 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.70 — Violation Procedure.

17.70 VIOLATION PROCEDURE. Subdivision 1. Commissioner's duties. For the purpose of sections 17.691 to 17.702, the commissioner may receive complaints with respect to violations or threatened violations. The commissioner may make all necessary investigations, examinations or inspections of any violation or threatened violation specified in the sworn complaint filed with the commissioner. If, upon such investigation, the commissioner considers that there is reasonable cause to believe that the person charged has committed a practice in violation of sections 17.691 to 17.702, the commissioner shall issue and cause to be served a complaint upon the person. The complaint shall summon the person to a hearing before the commissioner at the time and place fixed. Subd. 2. Findings of fact; order. If the commissioner determines that the person complained of has committed a practice in violation of sections 17.691 to 17.702, the commissioner shall state findings of fact and shall issue and cause to be served on the person an order to cease the violation and shall order further affirmative action as will effectuate the policies of sections 17.691 to 17.702. Subd. 3. Dismissal. If the commissioner is of the opinion that the person complained of has not committed a practice in violation of sections 17.691 to 17.702, the commissioner shall make findings of fact and issue an order dismissing the complaint. Subd. 4. Modification or set aside. Until the record in a case has been filed in a court the commissioner may, at any time upon reasonable notice and in such manner as the commissioner deems proper, modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any finding or order made or issued, with jurisdiction for such a change specified in additional findings of fact. Subd. 5. Enforcement. The commissioner may request the attorney general of the state of Minnesota to seek the appropriate temporary relief or restraining order of injunction in district court to insure the enforcement of the commissioner's findings. History:  1973 c 736 s 10; 1986 c 444; 1998 c 373 s 14-16; 2001 c 161 s 57
MN Stat § 17.701 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.701 — Rules.

17.701 RULES. The commissioner may promulgate rules necessary for the administration of sections 17.691 to 17.702 in accordance with sections 17.691 to 17.702 and chapter 14. History:  1973 c 736 s 11; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1998 c 373 s 17; 2001 c 161 s 57
MN Stat § 17.702 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.702 — Negotiation Classes Required.

17.702 NEGOTIATION CLASSES REQUIRED. Upon accreditation of an association of producers, at least two members of bargaining teams from both the association and the handler named in the application must attend instructional classes covering negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and facilitation approved by the commissioner. The instruction period must be at least three hours. The informational exchanges may not commence unless certificates of completion are on file with the commissioner. After an association has been accredited for a period exceeding one year, the association and the handler must have at least one member of their bargaining team in informational exchanges or negotiations complete training in the previous year of at least three hours in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and facilitation, as described in this section, before the dates for informational exchanges are determined. Verification of training must accompany the notification to the commissioner that informational exchanges are scheduled. History:   1998 c 373 s 18
MN Stat § 17.710 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.710 — Agricultural Production Contracts.

17.710 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION CONTRACTS. A production contract entered into, renewed, or amended on or after July 1, 1999, between an agricultural producer and a processor of agricultural products must not contain provisions that prohibit the producer from disclosing terms, conditions, and prices contained in the contract. Any provision prohibiting disclosure by the producer is void. History:   1999 c 231 s 32
MN Stat § 17.80 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.80 — State Agricultural Land Preservation And Conservation Policy.

17.80 STATE AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION POLICY. Subdivision 1. Policy. It is the policy of the state to preserve agricultural land and conserve its long-term use for the production of food and other agricultural products by: (a) Protection of agricultural land and certain parcels of open space land from conversion to other uses; (b) Conservation and enhancement of soil and water resources to ensure their long-term quality and productivity; (c) Encouragement of planned growth and development of urban and rural areas to ensure the most effective use of agricultural land, resources and capital; and (d) Fostering of ownership and operation of agricultural land by resident farmers. Subd. 2. Methods. The legislature finds that the policy in subdivision 1 will be best met by: (a) Defining and locating lands well suited for the production of agricultural and forest products, and the use of that information as part of any local planning and zoning decision; (b) Providing local units of government with coordinating guidelines, tools and incentives to prevent the unplanned and unscheduled conversion of agricultural and open space land to other uses; (c) Providing relief from escalating property taxes and special assessments and protection of normal farm operations in agricultural areas subject to development pressures; (d) Development of state policy to increase implementation of soil and water conservation by farmers; (e) Assuring that state agencies act to maximize the preservation and conservation of agricultural land and minimize the disruption of agricultural production, in accordance with local social, economic and environmental considerations of the agricultural community; (f) Assuring that public agencies employ and promote the use of management procedures which maintain or enhance the productivity of lands well suited to the production of food and other agricultural products; (g) Guiding the orderly development and maintenance of transportation systems in rural Minnesota while preserving agricultural land to the greatest possible extent; (h) Guiding the orderly construction and development of energy generation and transmission systems and enhancing the development of alternative energy to meet the needs of rural and urban communities and preserve agricultural land to the greatest possible extent by reducing energy costs and minimizing the use of agricultural land for energy production facilities; and (i) Guiding the orderly development of solid and hazardous waste management sites to meet the needs and safety of rural and urban communities and preserve agricultural land to the greatest possible extent by minimizing the use of agricultural land for waste management sites. History:   1982 c 512 s 1
MN Stat § 17.81 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.81 — Definitions.

17.81 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Applicability. For the purposes of sections 17.80 to 17.84, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them. Subd. 2. Action which adversely affects. "Action which adversely affects" means any of the following actions taken in respect to agricultural land which have or would have the effect of substantially restricting the agricultural use of the land: (1) acquisition for a nonagricultural use except acquisition for any unit of the outdoor recreation system described in section 86A.05, other than a trail described in subdivision 4 of that section; (2) granting of a permit, license, franchise or other official authorization for nonagricultural use; (3) lease of state-owned land for nonagricultural use except for mineral exploration or mining; or (4) granting or loaning of state funds for purposes which are not consistent with agricultural use. Subd. 3. Agricultural land. "Agricultural land" means land which is in agricultural use, and which has been identified as agricultural land by a local unit of government pursuant to sections 394.21 to 394.37, 462.351 to 462.364, 366.10 to 366.181 or 473H.04, or which is composed of predominantly class I, II, III, or IV soils as identified in the land capability classification system of the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the county soil survey, if completed. Subd. 4. Agricultural use. "Agricultural use" means use of land for the production of livestock, dairy animals, dairy products, poultry and poultry products, fur bearing animals, horticultural and nursery stock which is under chapter 18H, fruit of all kinds, vegetables, forage, grains, bees, and apiary products. Wetlands, pasture and woodlands accompanying land in agricultural use shall be considered to be in agricultural use. Subd. 5. Agency. "Agency" means a department identified in section 15.01, and any other agency of the state whose actions are by virtue of other law governed by the provisions of sections 17.80 to 17.84. Subd. 6.  [Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1] History:  1982 c 512 s 2; 2007 c 13 art 3 s 7; 2015 c 21 art 1 s 109
MN Stat § 17.82 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.82 — Prohibited Agency Action.

17.82 PROHIBITED AGENCY ACTION. Any agency action which the agency determines will adversely affect ten acres or more of agricultural land shall be referred to the commissioner to be reviewed and acted upon as provided in section 17.84. No agency shall take any action which adversely affects ten acres or more of agricultural land without first attempting to find alternative methods or locations for the action or otherwise attempting to reduce the adverse affects. If, after evaluating the alternatives, the agency determines that the benefit to the state from preserving the agricultural use of the land is less than the cost of implementing an alternative action, the agency shall inform the commissioner of that determination in writing. An agency action is not subject to review under this section or section 17.84 if the action is reviewed as required by chapter 116D and the environmental review rules adopted under that chapter, or if a political subdivision is required by law to review and approve the action. History:   1982 c 512 s 3
MN Stat § 17.84 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.84 — Duties Of Commissioner.

17.84 DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER. Within 30 days of the receipt of the notice provided in section 17.82, the commissioner shall review the agency's proposed action, shall negotiate with the agency, and shall recommend to the agency in writing the implementation either of the action as proposed or an alternative. In making recommendations, the commissioner shall follow the statement of policy contained in section 17.80. If the agency receives no response from the commissioner within 30 days, it shall be deemed a recommendation that the agency take the action as proposed. History:  1982 c 512 s 5; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 35
MN Stat § 17.844 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.844 — Livestock Production Policy.

17.844 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION POLICY. (a) The policy of the state is to promote livestock production on family farms under a broad range of management systems that are environmentally sound and meet all legal requirements of all jurisdictions, including federal, state, county, town, city, and watershed district requirements. (b) In order to promote livestock production on family farms, state agencies when appropriate shall, to the extent allowed by law: (1) promote the establishment of livestock enterprises on family farms; (2) promote environmental protection and water quality improvement through increased livestock production that results in controlling runoff through increased acreage of hay, pasture, and small grains; and (3) promote more farms to use agronomically applied manure to increase the water holding capacity of the soil and control erosion. History:   2004 c 254 s 2
MN Stat § 17.85 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.85 — Laboratory Services.

17.85 LABORATORY SERVICES. Subdivision 1. Account. A laboratory services account is established in the agricultural fund. Payments for laboratory services performed by the Laboratory Services Division of the Department of Agriculture must be deposited in the agricultural fund and credited to the laboratory services account. Money in the account, including interest earned on the account, is annually appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture to administer the programs of the Laboratory Services Division. Subd. 2. Agriculture laboratory. The agriculture laboratory exists to provide analytical and technical services in support of agency programs that protect and enhance the states' agriculture, environment, and food chain. The laboratory may provide analytical and technical services for a fee to any public or private entity as requested or required to meet department objectives in support of Minnesota agriculture and a national food safety system. History:  1988 c 688 art 20 s 1; 1999 c 231 s 33; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 31
MN Stat § 17.861 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.861 — Replacement Of Mercury Manometers.

17.861 REPLACEMENT OF MERCURY MANOMETERS. The commissioner, in cooperation with the Pollution Control Agency, dairy equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and other interested parties, shall develop a program to provide replacement nonmercury manometers for a $50 fee and to arrange for the acceptance, disposal, and recycling of the mercury, apparatus, and manometers at no cost to the dairy farmer. The mercury, manometers, and apparatus shall be managed in accordance with sections 115A.932 and 116.92. History:  1997 c 216 s 26; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 161
MN Stat § 17.90 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.90 — Definitions.

17.90 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 17.90 to 17.98. Subd. 1a. Agricultural contract. "Agricultural contract" means any written contract between a contractor and a producer, but does not include a contract between a grain buyer licensed under section 223.17, subdivision 1, who purchases grain from a producer as a merchant or seller of grain and does not contract with the producer to grow or raise the crops producing the grain. Subd. 2. Agricultural commodity. "Agricultural commodity" means a material produced for use in or as food, feed, seed, or fiber and includes crops for fiber, food, oilseeds, seeds, livestock, livestock products, poultry, poultry products, and other products or by-products of the farm produced for the same or similar use. Subd. 3. Contractor. "Contractor" means a person who in the ordinary course of business buys agricultural commodities grown or raised in this state or who contracts with a producer to grow or raise agricultural commodities in this state. Subd. 3a.  [Renumbered subd 3c] Subd. 3b. Grain. "Grain" has the meaning given in section 223.16, subdivision 4. Subd. 3c. Legible type. "Legible type" means a typeface at least as large as ten-point modern type, one-point leaded. Subd. 4. Producer. "Producer" means a person who produces or causes to be produced an agricultural commodity in a quantity beyond the person's own family use and: (1) is able to transfer title to another; or (2) provides management, labor, machinery, facilities, or any other production input for the production of an agricultural commodity. History:  1990 c 517 s 1; 2000 c 470 s 1-3; 2002 c 373 s 4,5
MN Stat § 17.91 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture|Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture|Section 17.91 — Required Language.

17.91 REQUIRED LANGUAGE. Subdivision 1. Mediation; arbitration. A contract for an agricultural commodity between a contractor and a producer must contain language providing for resolution of contract disputes by either mediation or arbitration. If there is a contract dispute, either party may make a written request to the commissioner for mediation or arbitration services as specified in the contract, to facilitate resolution of the dispute. Subd. 2. Written disclosure of risks. An agricultural contract must be accompanied by a clear written disclosure setting forth the nature of the material risks faced by the producer if the producer enters into the contract. The statement must meet the plain language requirements of section 17.943. The statement may be in the form of a written statement or checklist and may be developed in cooperation with producers or producer organizations. A contractor may submit a sample material risk disclosure statement to the commissioner for examination. If the commissioner approves of the statement or fails to respond within 30 days of receipt of the statement, the statement will be deemed to comply with this subdivision and with the plain language requirements of section 17.943. History:  1990 c 517 s 2; 2000 c 470 s 4