reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.031 — User Acceptance Testing.

16E.031 USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING.
Subdivision 1.
Applicability.
As used in this section:
(1) "primary user" means an employee or agent of a state agency or local unit of government who uses an information technology business software application to perform an official function; and
(2) "local unit of government" does not include a school district.
Subd. 2.
User acceptance testing.
(a) A state agency implementing a new information technology business software application or new business software application functionality that significantly impacts the operations of a primary user must provide opportunities for user acceptance testing, unless the testing is deemed not feasible or necessary by the relevant agency commissioner, in consultation with the chief information officer and representatives of the primary user.
(b) The requirements in paragraph (a) do not apply to routine software upgrades or application changes that are primarily intended to comply with federal law, rules, or regulations.
History:
2019 c 62 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.035 — Technology Inventory.

16E.035 TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY.
The chief information officer must prepare a financial inventory of technology owned or leased by the Department of Information Technology Services. The inventory must include: (1) information on how the technology fits into the state's information technology architecture; and (2) a projected replacement schedule. The chief information officer must report the inventory to the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over state technology issues by July 1 of each even-numbered year.
History:
1Sp2001 c 10 art 2 s 44; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 23; 2014 c 271 art 4 s 3; 2021 c 31 art 2 s 16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.036 — Advisory Council.

16E.036 ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) The Technology Advisory Council is created to advise the governor, the executive branch, and the state chief information officer. The council shall consist of 15 voting members. The governor shall appoint six members who are individuals actively involved in business planning for state executive branch agencies, one county member designated by the Association of Minnesota Counties, one member appointed by the governor as a representative of a union that represents state information technology employees, and one member appointed by the governor to represent private businesses. The governor shall also select six additional members with private-sector or public-sector information technology experience or experience in academia pertaining to information technology. The council shall have the following four ex-officio nonvoting members:
(1) a member of the house of representatives selected by the speaker of the house;
(2) a member of the house of representatives selected by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
(3) a member of the senate selected by the majority leader of the senate; and
(4) a member of the senate selected by the minority leader of the senate.
The governor shall designate one of the 15 voting members to serve as the council's chair.
(b) Membership terms, removal of members, and filling of vacancies are as provided in section 15.059. Members do not receive compensation or reimbursement for expenses.
(c) The chief information officer shall provide administrative support to the council.
(d) The council shall advise the chief information officer on:
(1) development and implementation of the state information technology strategic plan;
(2) critical information technology initiatives for the state;
(3) standards for state information architecture;
(4) identification of business and technical needs of state agencies;
(5) strategic information technology portfolio management, project prioritization, and investment decisions;
(6) the department's performance measures and fees for service agreements with executive branch agencies;
(7) management of the state MNIT services revolving fund; and
(8) the efficient and effective operation of the department.
History:
1Sp2011 c 10 art 4 s 3; 2013 c 134 s 30; 2013 c 142 art 3 s 36; 2021 c 31 art 2 s 9,16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.0465 — Technology Approval.

16E.0465 TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL.
Subdivision 1.
Application.
This section applies to an appropriation of more than $1,000,000 of state or federal funds to a state agency for any information and telecommunications technology project or for any phase of such a project, device, or system. For purposes of this section, an appropriation of state or federal funds to a state agency includes an appropriation:
(1) to a constitutional officer;
(2) for a project that includes both a state agency and units of local government; and
(3) to a state agency for grants to be made to other entities.
Subd. 2.
Required review and approval.
(a) A state agency receiving an appropriation for an information and telecommunications technology project subject to this section must divide the project into phases.
(b) An encumbrance or expenditure may not be made for any phase of a state agency information and telecommunications technology project subject to this section unless the Department of Information Technology Services has reviewed each phase of the project and based on this review, the chief information officer has determined for each phase that:
(1) the project is compatible with the state information architecture and other policies and standards established by the chief information officer;
(2) the agency is able to accomplish the goals of the phase of the project with the funds appropriated; and
(3) the project supports the enterprise information technology strategy.
Subd. 3.
[Repealed, 2005 c 156 art 5 s 24]
History:
1Sp2001 c 10 art 2 s 46; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 14,15; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109; 2013 c 134 s 30; 2013 c 142 art 3 s 36; 2021 c 31 art 2 s 11
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.05 — Government Information Access.

16E.05 GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ACCESS.
Subdivision 1.
Duties.
The department, in consultation with interested persons, shall explore ways and means to improve citizen and business access to public services, including implementation of technological improvements.
Subd. 2.
Approval of state agency initiatives.
A state agency shall coordinate with the office when implementing a new initiative for providing electronic access to state government information.
Subd. 3.
MS 2020 [Repealed, 2021 c 31 art 2 s 17]
Subd. 4.
Standards for transparency.
The chief information officer, in consultation with the Information Policy Analysis Division of the Department of Administration, shall develop standards to enhance public access to electronic data maintained by state government, consistent with the requirements of chapter 13. The standards must ensure that:
(1) the state information architecture facilitates public access to agency data;
(2) publicly available data is managed using an approved state metadata model; and
(3) all geospatial data conform to an approved state geocode model.
History:
1997 c 202 art 3 s 11; 2010 c 392 art 1 s 9; 2014 c 271 art 4 s 5; 2021 c 31 art 2 s 12
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.055 — Electronic Government Services.

16E.055 ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
A state agency that implements electronic government services for fees, licenses, sales, or other purposes must use the single entry site created by the chief information officer for all agencies to use for electronic government services.
History:
1Sp2001 c 10 art 2 s 47; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.06 — Data Privacy.

16E.06 DATA PRIVACY.
The following data submitted to the office by businesses are private data on individuals or nonpublic data: financial statements, business plans, income and expense projections, customer lists, and market and feasibility studies not paid for with public funds.
History:
1997 c 202 art 3 s 12
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.14 — Mnit Services Revolving Fund.

16E.14 MNIT SERVICES REVOLVING FUND.
Subdivision 1.
Creation.
The MNIT services revolving fund is created in the state treasury.
Subd. 2.
Appropriation and uses of fund.
Money in the MNIT services revolving fund is appropriated annually to the chief information officer to operate information and telecommunications services, including management, consultation, and design services.
Subd. 3.
Reimbursements.
Except as specifically provided otherwise by law, each agency shall reimburse the MNIT services revolving fund for the cost of all services, supplies, materials, labor, and depreciation of equipment, including reasonable overhead costs, which the chief information officer is authorized and directed to furnish an agency. The chief information officer shall report the rates to be charged for the revolving fund no later than July 1 each year to the chair of the committee or division in the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over the budget of the Department of Information Technology Services.
Subd. 4.
Cash flow.
(a) The commissioner of management and budget shall make appropriate transfers to the revolving fund when requested by the chief information officer. The chief information officer may make allotments and encumbrances in anticipation of such transfers. In addition, the chief information officer, with the approval of the commissioner of management and budget, may require an agency to make advance payments to the revolving fund sufficient to cover the office's estimated obligation for a period of at least 60 days. All reimbursements and other money received by the chief information officer under this section must be deposited in the MNIT services revolving fund.
(b) Each biennium, the commissioner of management and budget is authorized to provide cash flow assistance of up to $60,000,000 from the special revenue fund or other statutory general fund as defined in section 16A.671, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), to the Department of Information Technology Services for the purpose of managing revenue and expenditure differences. These funds shall be repaid with interest by the end of the closing period of the second fiscal year of the same biennium.
Subd. 5.
Liquidation.
If the MNIT services revolving fund is abolished or liquidated, the total net profit from the operation of the fund must be distributed to the various funds from which purchases were made. The amount to be distributed to each fund must bear to the net profit the same ratio as the total purchases from each fund bears to the total purchases from all the funds during the same period of time.
History:
2005 c 156 art 5 s 18; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109; 2013 c 134 s 30; 2013 c 142 art 3 s 36; 2021 c 31 art 2 s 16; 2023 c 62 art 6 s 13
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.15 — Software Sales.

16E.15 SOFTWARE SALES.
Subdivision 1.
Authorization.
The chief information officer may sell or license computer software products or services developed by state agencies or custom developed by a vendor, through whatever sales method the chief information officer considers appropriate. Prices for the software products or services may be based on market considerations.
Subd. 2.
Software sale fund.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), proceeds from the sale or licensing of software products or services by the chief information officer must be credited to the MNIT services revolving fund. If a state agency other than the Department of Information Technology Services has contributed to the development of software sold or licensed under this section, the chief information officer may reimburse the agency by discounting computer services provided to that agency.
(b) Proceeds from the sale or licensing of software products or services developed by the Pollution Control Agency, or custom developed by a vendor for the agency, must be credited to the environmental fund.
(c) If the Department of Transportation develops software products or services using trunk highway funds, proceeds from the subsequent sale or licensing of the software products or services must be credited to the trunk highway fund. This paragraph also applies to software products or services custom developed by a vendor for the department using trunk highway funds.
History:
1987 c 365 s 12; 1990 c 506 art 2 s 12; 1991 c 199 art 1 s 6; 1995 c 220 s 27; 1999 c 205 art 4 s 1; 2003 c 130 s 12; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 23; 2007 c 100 s 1; 2011 c 97 s 1; 2013 c 134 s 30; 2013 c 142 art 3 s 36; 2015 c 75 art 2 s 2; 2021 c 31 art 2 s 16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.16 — Modification Of Operating And Management Procedures.

16E.16 MODIFICATION OF OPERATING AND MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES.
When improved program effectiveness, better use of services, and greater efficiency and economy in state government can be demonstrated, the chief information officer with the approval of the governor may require a state agency to adjust its operating and management procedures to take advantage of improved systems, procedures, and methods resulting from systems analysis and information science technology.
History:
1984 c 544 s 49; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.17 — Telecommunication; Powers.

16E.17 TELECOMMUNICATION; POWERS.
The chief information officer shall supervise and control all state telecommunication facilities and services, including any transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, writing, images, and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems. Nothing in this section or section 16E.18 modifies, amends, or abridges any powers and duties presently vested in or imposed upon the commissioner of transportation or the commissioner of public safety relating to telecommunications facilities or the commissioner of transportation relating only to radio air navigation facilities or other air navigation facilities.
History:
1984 c 544 s 51; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 60; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.19 — Administration Of State Computer Facilities.

16E.19 ADMINISTRATION OF STATE COMPUTER FACILITIES.
Subdivision 1.
Chief information officer's responsibility.
The chief information officer shall integrate and operate the state's centralized computer facilities to serve the needs of state government. The chief information officer shall provide technical assistance to state agencies in the design, development, and operation of their computer systems.
Subd. 2.
Joint actions.
The chief information officer may, within available funding, join with the federal government, other states, local governments, and organizations representing those groups either jointly or severally in the development and implementation of systems analysis, information services, and computerization projects.
History:
1997 c 202 art 3 s 5; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.20 — Electronic Conduct Of State Business.

16E.20 ELECTRONIC CONDUCT OF STATE BUSINESS.
The chief information officer shall develop and implement a system under which:
(1) state business can be conducted and permits or licenses obtained through electronic communication with the appropriate state agencies; and
(2) applications for grants can be made electronically to state agencies when feasible.
History:
1994 c 559 s 2; 1997 c 202 art 3 s 6; 2000 c 332 s 2; 2005 c 156 art 5 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 16A - 16E — Administration And Finance › Chapter 16E — Department Of Information Technology Services › Section 16E.35 — County And Local Cybersecurity Grants.

16E.35 COUNTY AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANTS.
Subdivision 1.
Cybersecurity grant program established.
The Department of IT Services may make grants to political subdivisions to support addressing cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems owned or operated by, or on behalf of, state, local, or Tribal governments, as provided in section 70612 of Public Law 117-58.
Subd. 2.
Match requirement.
The political subdivision receiving a grant must provide for the remainder of the costs of the project that exceed available state match appropriated funds, or that exceed goals defined in the statewide cybersecurity plan.
Subd. 3.
Criteria.
The department may set criteria for program priorities and standards of review.
History:
2023 c 62 art 6 s 16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.01 — Creation Of Department; Commissioner; Deputy.

17.01 CREATION OF DEPARTMENT; COMMISSIONER; DEPUTY.
There is created a Department of Agriculture, which shall be in the charge of a commissioner of agriculture, in this chapter called the commissioner, who shall be appointed by the governor under the provisions of section 15.06. Before entering upon the duties of office, the commissioner shall take the oath required of state officials. The commissioner may appoint a deputy commissioner.
History:
(6023, 53-27 1/2) 1919 c 444 s 1; 1921 c 78 s 1; 1923 c 261 s 1; 1929 c 387; 1951 c 713 s 4; 1961 c 113 s 1; 1961 c 128 s 1; 1969 c 1129 art 8 s 2; 1977 c 305 s 12; 1986 c 444
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.013 — Delegations Of Powers To Deputy Commissioner.

17.013 DELEGATIONS OF POWERS TO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER.
The commissioner of agriculture may designate the deputy commissioner of agriculture to act in the commissioner's stead as a member, with all the commissioner's rights and privileges therein, of any board, committee or commission that the commissioner is made a member of by law. The designation shall be filed with secretary of state.
History:
1957 c 267 s 1; 1961 c 113 s 1; 1986 c 444
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.033 — License And Permit Surcharges.

17.033 LICENSE AND PERMIT SURCHARGES.
The commissioner may collect license and permit surcharges on all licensing and permitting transactions conducted by the Department of Agriculture for which a fee is charged. The surcharge applies to all initial and renewal license and permit applications and is calculated based on the license or permit base fee. Late penalties or other assessments are not included in the calculation of the surcharge. The fee is set at five percent beginning August 1, 2023, with a minimum fee of $5 for each transaction. The surcharge rate must be reviewed and set annually by the commissioner and may be assessed at a rate of between three and eight percent of the licensing or permitting fee, with a minimum fee of $5 for each transaction. The fees collected for this surcharge must be deposited in a dedicated account in the agricultural fund. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for the information technology improvement activities needed to create electronic systems for conducting licensing and permitting transactions and to modernize the department's inspection and customer management systems.
History:
2023 c 43 art 2 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.035 — Venison Distribution And Reimbursement.

17.035 VENISON DISTRIBUTION AND REIMBURSEMENT.
Subdivision 1.
Reimbursement.
A meat processor holding a license under chapter 28A may apply to the commissioner of agriculture for reimbursement of $150 towards the processor's reasonable and documented cost of processing donated deer, as determined by the commissioner within the limits of available funding. The meat processor shall deliver the deer, processed into cuts or ground meat, to a charitable organization that is registered under chapter 309 and with the commissioner of agriculture and that operates a food assistance program. To request reimbursement, the processor shall submit an application, on a form prescribed by the commissioner of agriculture, the tag number under which the deer was taken, and a receipt for the deer from the charitable organization.
Subd. 2.
Distribution.
(a) The commissioner of agriculture shall ensure the equitable statewide distribution of processed deer by requiring the charitable organization to allocate and distribute processed deer according to the allocation formula used in the distribution of United States Department of Agriculture commodities under the federal emergency food assistance program. The charitable organization must submit quarterly reports to the commissioner on forms prescribed by the commissioner. The reports must include, but are not limited to, information on the amount of processed deer received and the organizations to which the meat was distributed.
(b) The commissioner of agriculture may adopt rules to implement this section.
History:
2007 c 57 art 1 s 13; 1Sp2019 c 4 art 3 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.039 — Ethical Guidelines For Farm Advocates.

17.039 ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR FARM ADVOCATES.
Ethical guidelines developed by the commissioner must be part of the contract with each farm advocate.
History:
1986 c 398 art 22 s 1; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 18
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.04 — Enforcement Of Food Laws.

17.04 ENFORCEMENT OF FOOD LAWS.
The commissioner shall cause to be enforced all the provisions of all laws designed to prevent fraud and deception in the manufacture and sale of food and the several ingredients thereof, and shall have authority to take all proper educational measures to foster and promote the manufacture and sale of pure food products.
History:
(3793) 1921 c 495 s 6; 1961 c 128 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.041 — Agricultural Emergency Account; Appropriation.

17.041 AGRICULTURAL EMERGENCY ACCOUNT; APPROPRIATION.
Subdivision 1.
Establishment; appropriation.
An agricultural emergency account is established in the agricultural fund. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for emergency preparedness and response activities for agricultural emergencies affecting producers of livestock, poultry, crops, or other agricultural products. Eligible emergency response uses include agency costs directly attributed to responding to agricultural emergencies and purchasing necessary equipment and reimbursing costs incurred by local units of government that are not eligible for reimbursement from other sources. Eligible emergency preparedness uses are limited to training and the procurement of equipment and supplies.
Subd. 2.
Transfer authorized.
The commissioner may transfer money in the account to the Board of Animal Health, other state agencies, or the University of Minnesota for purposes of subdivision 1.
Subd. 3.
Annual report.
No later than February 1 each year, the commissioner must report activities and expenditures under this section to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.
History:
2016 c 189 art 2 s 3; 1Sp2019 c 1 art 2 s 1; 2022 c 95 art 2 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.055 — Emerging Farmers.

17.055 EMERGING FARMERS.
Subdivision 1.
Emerging farmer working group.
To advise the commissioner and legislature regarding the development and implementation of programs and initiatives that support emerging farmers in this state, the commissioner must periodically convene a working group consisting, to the extent possible, of persons who are, and organizations that represent, farmers or aspiring farmers who are women, veterans, persons with disabilities, American Indian or Alaskan Natives, members of a community of color, young, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+), or urban, and any other emerging farmers as determined by the commissioner.
Subd. 1a.
Emerging farmer account.
An emerging farmer account is established in the agricultural fund. The account consists of money appropriated by law and any other money donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section and must be used to further the objectives of the emerging farmer working group.
Subd. 2.
MS 2022 [Repealed, 2023 c 43 art 2 s 142]
Subd. 2a.
Emerging Farmers Office.
The Emerging Farmers Office exists to support emerging farmers. For purposes of this subdivision, "emerging farmer" has the meaning given in subdivision 1. At a minimum, the office must coordinate the emerging farmer working group under subdivision 1 and the beginning farmer equipment and infrastructure grant program under subdivision 3.
Subd. 3.
Beginning farmer equipment and infrastructure grants.
(a) The commissioner may award and administer equipment and infrastructure grants to beginning farmers. The commissioner shall give preference to applicants who are emerging farmers as defined in subdivision 1. Grant money may be used for equipment and infrastructure development.
(b) The commissioner shall develop competitive eligibility criteria and may allocate grants on a needs basis.
(c) Grant projects may continue for up to two years.
Subd. 4.
Report.
No later than February 1 each year, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture regarding the emerging farmer working group's activities, recommendations, and any grants awarded under this section.
History:
2020 c 89 art 4 s 2; 1Sp2021 c 3 art 1 s 5; 2023 c 43 art 2 s 2-5
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.1015 — Promotional Expenditures.

17.1015 PROMOTIONAL EXPENDITURES.
In order to accomplish the purposes of section 17.101, the commissioner may participate jointly with private persons in appropriate programs and projects and may enter into contracts to carry out those programs and projects. The contracts may not include the acquisition of land or buildings and are not subject to the provisions of chapter 16C relating to competitive bidding.
The commissioner may spend money appropriated for the purposes of section 17.101 in the same manner that private persons, firms, corporations, and associations make expenditures for these purposes, and expenditures made pursuant to section 17.101 for food, lodging, or travel are not governed by the travel rules of the commissioner of management and budget.
History:
1983 c 300 s 1; 1995 c 186 s 11; 1998 c 386 art 2 s 17; 2008 c 204 s 42; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109; 2013 c 114 art 2 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.1016 — Cooperative Grants.

17.1016 COOPERATIVE GRANTS.
Subdivision 1.
Definitions.
For purposes of this section:
(1) "agricultural commodity" and "agricultural product processing facility" have the meanings given in section 17.101, subdivision 5; and
(2) "agricultural service" means an action made under the direction of a farmer that provides value to another entity. Agricultural service includes grazing to manage vegetation.
Subd. 2.
Grant program.
(a) The commissioner may establish and implement a grant program to help farmers finance new cooperatives that organize for purposes of operating an agricultural product processing facility or marketing an agricultural product or agricultural service.
(b) To be eligible for this program, a grantee must:
(1) be a cooperative organized under chapter 308A or 308B;
(2) certify that all control of the cooperative is from farmers, family farm partnerships, family farm limited liability companies, or family farm corporations as defined in section 500.24, subdivision 2, who are actively engaged in agricultural commodity production;
(3) be operated primarily to process agricultural commodities or market agricultural products or services produced in Minnesota;
(4) receive agricultural commodities produced primarily by shareholders or members of the cooperative; and
(5) not allow nonpatron voting rights.
(c) The commissioner may receive applications and make grants up to $50,000 to eligible grantees for feasibility, marketing analysis, assistance with organizational development, financing and managing new cooperatives, product development, development of business and marketing plans, and predesign of facilities, including site analysis, the development of bid specifications, preliminary blueprints and schematics, and the completion of purchase agreements and other necessary legal documents.
(d) Grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar with other money or in-kind contributions.
History:
2022 c 95 art 2 s 2; 2023 c 43 art 2 s 6
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.102 — Minnesota Grown Label.

17.102 MINNESOTA GROWN LABEL.
Subdivision 1.
Establishment and use of label.
(a) The commissioner shall establish a "Minnesota grown" logo or labeling statement for use in identifying agricultural products that are grown, raised, processed, or manufactured in this state. The commissioner may develop labeling statements that apply to specific marketing or promotional needs. One version of a labeling statement must identify food products certified as organically grown in this state. The Minnesota grown logo or labeling statement may be used on products only if 80 percent or more of the agricultural product is produced in this state.
(b) The Minnesota grown logo or labeling statement may not be used without a license from the commissioner except that wholesalers and retailers may use the Minnesota grown logo and labeling statement for displaying and advertising products that qualify for use of the Minnesota grown logo or labeling statement.
Subd. 2.
Label does not replace other requirements.
The logo or labeling statement does not supersede or replace any federal label or grade standard that is required by law.
Subd. 3.
License.
A person may not use the Minnesota grown logo or labeling without an annual license from the commissioner. The commissioner shall issue licenses for a fee of $20.
Subd. 4.
Minnesota grown account.
The Minnesota grown account is established as an account in the agricultural fund. License fee receipts and penalties collected under this section must be deposited in the agricultural fund and credited to the Minnesota grown account. The money in the account is continuously appropriated to the commissioner for the direct costs of implementing the Minnesota grown program.
Subd. 4a.
Funding sources.
The Minnesota grown account shall consist of license fees, penalties, advertising revenue, revenue from the development and sale of promotional materials, gifts, and appropriations.
Subd. 4b.
Appropriations must be matched by private funds.
Appropriations from the Minnesota grown account may be expended only to the extent that they are matched with contributions to the account from private sources on a basis of at least $1 of private contributions to each $4 of state money. For the purposes of this subdivision, "private contributions" includes, but is not limited to, license fees, penalties, advertising revenue, revenue from the development and sale of promotional materials, and gifts.
Subd. 5.
Penalty.
A person who is required to have a license and uses the Minnesota grown logo or labeling without a license after being notified by the commissioner that a license is required is subject to a civil penalty up to $1,000.
Subd. 6.
Rules.
The commissioner shall promulgate rules authorizing and licensing the use of the logo or labeling statement.
History:
1979 c 36 s 1; 1987 c 396 art 6 s 1; 1988 c 688 art 4 s 1; 1999 c 231 s 24; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 20; 2007 c 45 art 1 s 10-14
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.107 — Farm Equipment Safety And Maintenance Program For Youth.

17.107 FARM EQUIPMENT SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR YOUTH.
Subdivision 1.
Program coordination.
The Minnesota Extension Service, in cooperation with the commissioner of agriculture, shall implement a voluntary farm equipment safety program for training and certifying rural youth. The program must be designed to teach young operators to safely maintain and operate tractors and other farm implements. The Extension Service shall maintain records adequate to verify the names and addresses of students certified by the safety program.
Subd. 2.
Instructor development.
Not later than August 1, 1991, the Minnesota Extension Service shall design a program for the recruitment and development of qualified instructors for the youth farm equipment safety program created under subdivision 1.
Subd. 3.
Payment to instructors.
From within public or nonpublic funds made available for the youth farm equipment safety program created under subdivision 1, the commissioner of agriculture may make payments of $25 per student to qualified instructors on a per-student basis.
History:
1991 c 254 art 3 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.1195 — Farm Safety Grant And Outreach Programs.

17.1195 FARM SAFETY GRANT AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1.
Tractor rollover grants.
(a) The commissioner may award grants to Minnesota farmers and Minnesota schools that retrofit eligible tractors with eligible rollover protective structures.
(b) Grants for farmers are limited to 70 percent of the farmer's documented cost to purchase, ship, and install an eligible rollover protective structure. The commissioner must increase a farmer's grant award amount over the 70 percent grant limitation requirement if necessary to limit a farmer's cost per tractor to no more than $500.
(c) Schools are eligible for grants that cover the full amount of a school's documented cost to purchase, ship, and install an eligible rollover protective structure.
(d) A rollover protective structure is eligible if it is certified to appropriate national or international rollover protection structure standards with a seat belt.
(e) "Eligible tractor" means a tractor that was built before 1987.
Subd. 2.
Grain storage facility safety grants; farm safety outreach.
(a) The commissioner may award grants to Minnesota farmers who purchase eligible grain storage facility safety equipment. Grants are limited to 75 percent of the farmer's documented cost to purchase, ship, and install grain storage facility safety equipment, or $400 per bin or silo, whichever is less. A farm entity may not receive more than one grant each fiscal year.
(b) Eligible grain storage facility safety equipment includes:
(1) fall protection systems;
(2) engineering controls to prevent contact with an auger or other moving parts;
(3) dust collection systems to minimize explosion hazards;
(4) personal protective equipment to increase survivability in the event of a grain-bin-related emergency;
(5) grain silo air quality monitoring equipment; and
(6) other grain storage facility safety equipment approved by the commissioner.
(c) The commissioner may create a farm safety outreach campaign, including but not limited to development and distribution of safety educational materials related to grain bins, silos, and other agricultural confined spaces.
Subd. 3.
Promotion; administration.
The commissioner may spend up to six percent of total program dollars each fiscal year to promote and administer the programs to Minnesota farmers and schools.
History:
2020 c 101 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.133 — Farm Down Payment Assistance Grants.

17.133 FARM DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS.
Subdivision 1.
Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.
(b) "Eligible farmer" means an individual who at the time that the grant is awarded:
(1) is a resident of Minnesota who intends to acquire farmland located within the state and provide the majority of the day-to-day physical labor and management of the farm;
(2) grosses no more than $250,000 per year from the sale of farm products; and
(3) has not, and whose spouse has not, at any time had a direct or indirect ownership interest in farmland.
(c) "Farm down payment" means an initial, partial payment required by a lender or seller to purchase farmland.
Subd. 2.
Grants.
The commissioner may award farm down payment assistance grants of up to $15,000 per eligible farmer. Each award must be matched with at least $8,000 of other funding. Grants under this subdivision may be awarded by a randomized selection process after applications are collected over a period of no less than 30 calendar days. An eligible farmer must commit to own and farm the land purchased with assistance provided under this section for at least five years. For each year that a grant recipient does not own and farm the land during the five-year period, the grant recipient must pay a penalty to the commissioner equal to 20 percent of the grant amount.
Subd. 3.
Report to legislature.
No later than December 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the commissioner must provide a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over agriculture and rural development, in compliance with sections 3.195 and 3.197, on the farm down payment assistance grants under this section. The report must include:
(1) background information on beginning farmers in Minnesota and any other information that the commissioner and authority find relevant to evaluating the effect of the grants on increasing opportunities for and the number of beginning farmers;
(2) the number and amount of grants;
(3) the geographic distribution of grants by county;
(4) the number of grant recipients who are emerging farmers;
(5) disaggregated data regarding the gender, race, and ethnicity of grant recipients;
(6) the number of farmers who cease to own land and are subject to payment of a penalty, along with the reasons for the land ownership cessation; and
(7) the number and amount of grant applications that exceeded the allocation available in each year.
History:
2022 c 95 art 2 s 10; 2023 c 43 art 2 s 8,9
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.134 — Soil Health Financial Assistance Program.

17.134 SOIL HEALTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Subdivision 1.
Establishment.
The commissioner must establish and administer a program to support healthy soil management practices in accordance with this section.
Subd. 2.
Eligible projects.
The commissioner may award a grant under this section for any project on agricultural land in Minnesota that will:
(1) increase the quantity of organic carbon in soil through practices, including but not limited to reduced tillage, cover cropping, manure management, precision agriculture, crop rotations, and changes in grazing management;
(2) integrate perennial vegetation into the management of agricultural lands;
(3) reduce nitrous oxide and methane emissions through changes to livestock, soil management, or nutrient optimization;
(4) increase the usage of precision agricultural practices;
(5) enable the development of site-specific management plans; or
(6) enable the purchase of equipment, parts and materials, technology, subscriptions, technical assistance, seeds, seedlings, or amendments that will further any of the purposes in clauses (1) to (5).
Subd. 3.
Grant eligibility.
Any owner or lessee of farmland may apply for a grant under this section. The commissioner must give preference to owners and lessees that have not previously implemented an eligible project. Local government units, including cities; towns; counties; soil and water conservation districts; Minnesota Tribal governments as defined in section 10.65; and joint powers boards, are also eligible for a grant. A local government unit that receives a grant for equipment or technology must make those purchases available for use by the public.
Subd. 4.
Report.
By January 15 each year, the commissioner must submit a report on the grants awarded under this section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture policy and finance. The report must include the number of grants awarded by county and the combined value of those grants.
History:
2023 c 43 art 2 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.135 — Farm Disposal Of Solid Waste.

17.135 FARM DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE.
(a) A permit is not required from a state agency, except under sections 88.16, 88.17, and 88.22 for a person who owns or operates land used for farming that buries, or burns and buries:
(1) solid waste generated from the person's household or as part of the person's farming operation; or
(2) concrete or reinforcing bar from a building or structure located on the land used for farming.
Items in clauses (1) and (2) must be buried in a nuisance-free, pollution-free, and aesthetic manner on the land used for farming. The exception in clause (1) does not apply if regularly scheduled pickup of solid waste is reasonably available at the person's farm, as determined by resolution of the county board of the county where the person's farm is located.
(b) The exemption in paragraph (a), clause (1), does not apply to burning tires or plastics, except plastic baling twine, or to burning or burial of the following materials:
(1) household hazardous waste as defined in section 115A.96, subdivision 1;
(2) appliances, including but not limited to, major appliances as defined in section 115A.03, subdivision 17a;
(3) household batteries;
(4) used motor oil; and
(5) lead acid batteries from motor vehicles.
(c) Within 90 days after completion of the burial, an owner of land used for farming who buries material under the authority of paragraph (a), clause (2), shall record, with the county recorder or registrar of titles of the county in which the land is located, an affidavit containing a legal description of the property and a map drawn from available information showing the boundary of the property and the location of concrete or reinforcing bar buried on the property. The county recorder or registrar of titles must record an affidavit presented under this paragraph in a manner that ensures its disclosure in the ordinary course of a title search of the subject property.
History:
1989 c 131 s 2; 1993 c 249 s 5; 2011 c 14 s 6
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.351 — Definitions.

17.351 DEFINITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Applicability.
The definitions in this section apply to sections 17.352 to 17.354.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]
Subd. 3.
Fur-bearing animal.
"Fur-bearing animal" means a fox, mink, fitch, chinchilla, karakul, marten, nutria, or fisher that is the second or later generation raised in captivity.
Subd. 4.
Fur farmer.
"Fur farmer" means a person engaged in breeding, raising, producing, and marketing fur-bearing animals or the products of fur-bearing animals.
History:
1985 c 44 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.352 — Agricultural Products And Pursuits.

17.352 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND PURSUITS.
Fur-bearing animals are domestic animals and products of fur-bearing animals are agricultural products. A fur farmer is engaged in an agricultural pursuit.
History:
1985 c 44 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.353 — Fur Farmer Registration.

17.353 FUR FARMER REGISTRATION.
Subdivision 1.
Registration system.
The commissioner shall establish a registration system for fur farmers. The registration system shall be designed to maintain information required by the commissioner, United States Department of Agriculture, and other agencies.
Subd. 2.
Registration.
A fur farmer may register with the commissioner by submitting a completed registration form and a fee of $10 to the commissioner by December 31. The registration is valid for a calendar year. The registration form must state the name of the applicant, the location of the fur farming activity, the species of fur-bearing animals on the fur farm, and other information required by the commissioner.
Subd. 3.
Tags for transportation and sale.
The commissioner shall, if requested, furnish registered fur farmers tags, without a fee, for the transport and sale of fur-bearing animals and their products. A fur farmer transporting or selling pelts of fur-bearing animals may attach the tag to a package containing pelts.
Subd. 4.
Annual reports of pelts sold.
A registered fur farmer must file a verified report of the number of pelts of each species of fur-bearing animal sold during the preceding calendar year. The report must be filed with the commissioner by December 31.
History:
1985 c 44 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture › Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture › Section 17.41 — Grain Defined.

17.41 GRAIN DEFINED.
Unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the term "grain" shall mean whole seeds or entire grains or any broken parts thereof, of field peas, field beans, soybeans or entire legumes, or flax, wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, sorghum, spelt or emmer, vetch, buckwheat, or any other cereals.
History:
1955 c 415 s 1