[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6649744,"mediaKeyId","2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a","parentId",2512949,"title","Committee reviews avian influenza prevention bill; members approve laser grant language but reject one biosecurity amendment","audioSeconds",1406,"startMs",5014000,"endMs",6420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a&start=5014&end=6420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a/thumbnail_5014000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6649744/Minnesota/Committee-reviews-avian-influenza-prevention-bill-members-approve-laser-grant-language-but-reject-one-biosecurity-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649744-b06dfad67abe86650f7a233780c262bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200691&Signature=Cv-s36j6tml~V-xYnndELuddK2tMgozpcDhL8vb~DDL~uoteFEUmIA-1E5msBab9cescopYHbewOIoiCNyspefveVMlfIJB2VbSmfslorInZ-nNdK~Xeq4pe4LxbnGzCgKA22VWiTlyHDshALPJm2J1yKhUFMP0j4nSeq~8LI8jpYISQ53A-HfXuGl~b988~pIbOhbvN82rEbDaGTzKz66opdK4E8c5b3mj0RIwrZFodb6jOlD0kN8zwNqGplTS8eYx7sIIMEo5rms1jKSiu6oleFnQsE0I0BNX2VdsUOurK4XYWENdv9jL7v2hM9mF-FRkLle~q9iU~HA6dMy5adA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-06T00:54:36.757Z","article","House File 1503, a bill to establish a grant program to help poultry producers install bird‑deterrent devices and other avian influenza prevention measures, was heard and laid over by the House Ag Finance and Policy Committee after several amendments and testimony.

Representative Burkel offered an A1 amendment to correct drafting language; the committee approved the A1 amendment by voice. Testimony focused on layered prevention and costs for deterrent technology that producers are using to reduce high‑path avian influenza risk.

Ashley Coles, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, told the committee that Minnesota is a large turkey producer and that growers have installed over 100 “turkey lasers” to deter wild birds. Coles described the devices as green lasers that move in randomized patterns; she said growers see the same type of technology used by airports and orchards and that a single unit costs roughly $17,000–$20,000. Coles said Minnesota turkey growers have used biosecurity and deterrents to limit 2022–2024 impacts relative to national losses and supported a grant program to help producers purchase deterrents.

Representative Hansen offered an A2 amendment that would have explicitly banned sale or distribution of raw pet food made from birds culled due to high‑path avian influenza. Department of Agriculture staff told the committee that animals culled for HPAI are USDA property and ‘‘are not allowed to enter the food supply’’ under existing federal and state rules; Commissioner testimony and a Department of Agriculture official said adulterated food is not permitted into human or pet food. The committee took a roll call on A2; the chair voted no and the roll call resulted in a 7–6 vote against the amendment, so A2 failed. Representative Hansen later offered a more expansive A3 amendment addressing monitoring of manure, compost and wastewater and proposing University of Minnesota monitoring and PPE and biomonitoring for agricultural workers; Representative Hansen withdrew A3 after discussion.

Representative Burkel said the bill’s purpose is to assist producers with prevention measures such as lasers and other deterrents and to alleviate financial and emotional strain on producers affected by HPAI. The committee laid House File 1503 over for further consideration; no final appropriation level was set during the hearing. Witnesses noted that some federal funds recently announced were focused on egg layer operations and that turkey growers are still seeking clarity about federal eligibility.

The committee’s action preserves the author’s technical amendment, rejected the A2 food‑safety language by roll call and left the larger monitoring ideas for future discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25","oneSentenceSummary","House File 1503, a proposal to fund avian influenza prevention measures such as bird‑deterrent lasers for poultry producers, was laid over. The committee approved an author A1 amendment and later rejected a floor amendment (A2) that would have banned distribution of raw pet food made from culled birds.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6649747,"Panel backs continued funding for farm mental health and safety outreach; amendment expands worker eligibility",670,4303000,4973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a&start=4303&end=4973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a/thumbnail_4303000.jpg","/articles/6649747/Minnesota/Panel-backs-continued-funding-for-farm-mental-health-and-safety-outreach-amendment-expands-worker-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649747-a758eb25741ad56167cb194ea106ec13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200691&Signature=h1DnLBmYvYQt9ENfGsoHatKf51XyRCxZg2bKAcQymACyuws-n8wuP48dss-DsabaCkdwpeCX-AYDqCt9dgREBi~W3MEO-UvJXICANstYidrSuxbtYJ3pWBet2ks2MdLrYXzB7W1pLXg3Izm1ttrzDgEPTmZToRJ-681uwAh4fw0Sa3wKCIHl1J523TxGHsbwygBRUmh2nXesMAPxftjExb4gO4sz6T~q5WDZOqUiO94OkGSKBp9XLP0S5lOMBO7gNmpJJJru8NOWhcizFcIMJIyREhr3vVoFO1xf1YsNytfOIlBcUOAcHHLegXJxP5iNmjtXA4DRHnWpWZHR2KxfMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Ag Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony and accepted an amendment on House File 1702, a bill that would fund farm and rural mental health and safety outreach through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Chair Anderson presented the bill on behalf of Representative Franson and described the measure as continuing the committee’s work on farm safety and mental health. The bill would appropriate $100,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $100,000 in fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Agriculture for outreach and support targeted at farmers, ranchers and the agricultural community.

Tom Peterson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and several agricultural organizations testified in support. Peterson noted past investments in farm safety education and mental health outreach and told the committee that the department supports continuing the work. Gail Donkers, a farmer testifying for Minnesota Farmers Union, described personal experience with MDA-supported training and the farm and rural helpline, saying the resources were ‘‘invaluable’’ and that trainings such as the four‑hour SafeTALK workshop were in demand. Hunter Peterson of the Minnesota Farm Bureau also voiced support for continued funding and safety grants.

Representative Hansen offered an A1 amendment to clarify that programs funded by the bill also apply to farm employees and workers; Representative Anderson accepted the amendment as friendly and the committee adopted it by voice vote. With the amendment adopted, the committee laid the bill over for further consideration.

Witnesses said the appropriation previously leveraged federal funds and that the outreach program has been used for grain‑bin and tractor safety, the farm and rural helpline, training programs and county-level events. Commissioner Peterson noted the department maintains resources and outreach channels for mental health and that PPE and related supports have been available through prior efforts.

House File 1702 as amended was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee’s package or future budget negotiations.","Committee accepted an author amendment and laid over House File 1702, which would appropriate $100,000 in fiscal 2026 and $100,000 in fiscal 2027 for farm and rural mental health and safety outreach administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6649748,"Committee lays over bill to allow import of reindeer amid state chronic wasting disease concerns",419,3777000,4196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a&start=3777&end=4196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a/thumbnail_3777000.jpg","/articles/6649748/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-to-allow-import-of-reindeer-amid-state-chronic-wasting-disease-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649748-1bd1920c6b48f70a4c7c335effec219a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200691&Signature=kDi5v0ZaAulhZNwzdW2Z4JGyqPtmJlrmqTvYPd2-J-pRd2Llg9pA7D03LCYkfwOOlw5pqoIN8vOOxHriOWpQ12TgrykYuia6EgNjodegQmqT60TwROhKEaAZqRFmL9P6HWvekh4zBVm4~0TrK3V3fhXnjRP4WuQa9x6KPoBjzJ58ntvfQchdHigTVfxGLAY5LlF9OWp3EhLftj5yHfsTsynP1xVCOf3d1CaD6Rx6fMcuk~G8mNCeEmv4mrNK9P5hLYs2hpd7MdnA1GrMBKAA-qCLdWPXcy3Sk9fhnlxavkpvwyeB0etZpzywe7XADBHxug0EVmm7MGaFoBIO7iXA8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Ag Finance and Policy Committee laid over House File 434 after testimony focused on animal welfare, genetic diversity and disease risk.

Chair Anderson introduced the measure on behalf of Representative Franson. The bill would allow specified Minnesota facilities to import reindeer from out‑of‑state institutions under certain accreditation conditions. Joan Hemker, founder and co‑owner of Hemker Park and Zoo, testified remotely in support and described the zoo’s participation in American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) cooperative breeding programs, saying the facility \"has cared for reindeer for over 35 years\" and that imports are important for genetic diversity and education.

Pat Rivers, deputy director for Fish and Wildlife at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, urged caution. Rivers told the committee that Washington state recently detected chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer and that ‘‘we have real concerns about how House File 434 would allow importation of animals without adhering to our best management practices related to CWD.’’ Rivers said Minnesota has invested in research at the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (MinPro) and would support importation only after a validated live test exists to confirm animals are disease-free.

Committee members and testifiers discussed the legal and accreditation distinctions between AZA accreditation, USDA exhibitor licensing, and state statute (Minn. Stat. 35.155 was cited for the statute that the amendment would change). Representative Anderson asked for the bill to be laid over for further consideration and suggested a permit process tied to a risk‑based assessment conducted by the DNR and the receiving institution once a validated live test is available.

No committee vote to advance the bill occurred; the chair announced the measure would be laid over for further review and possible future action.","The committee laid over House File 434, which would permit certain Minnesota facilities to import reindeer from accredited institutions; the DNR urged caution because of chronic wasting disease (CWD) concerns and recommended awaiting a validated live-animal CWD test.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6649749,"House committee advances fix to Minnesota broadband installer law after safety, timing debate",3618,78000,3696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a&start=78&end=3696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2512949-92982b1c58259315ed9b3a3801fc4e2a/thumbnail_78000.jpg","/articles/6649749/Minnesota/House-committee-advances-fix-to-Minnesota-broadband-installer-law-after-safety-timing-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649749-f758d463664be66fa9ee789e07525a08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200691&Signature=NtuoZO4WNHWak0m6JGSNpHF4sHht9209VbQeLM~bct9Q4KgQyPXKR4hAYahfyK-3U1Ly2hhvRKmBSBVMH2TD-lFjbkzHMI8BHVbqxaZBcCPb08ozxsgCtU2le7sROgd3ZzLnwr9bMVnye-9pTdCVBIG1mcUd9Pwa7ZaGyFXLZbPMDYP-o8fkbFDdB2yVrCa0UxKcN-TlsJYnp0827EIAlpCMVGbJoLFn55kda3Ldv8aWKCT5l2yja5yPRtgAymHI9GXATI8TbDSYdIzFgQjhAyB~Qystz9GK0KGQO72Zt~oO6BFS7nhxZ4-orC8QaIm-dMOwcLzhlMmbVXNoW2JMUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 47, a bill to amend Minnesota’s underground telecommunications installer certification requirements, advanced out of the House Ag Finance and Policy Committee on a 7-6 roll call after committee members debated whether the law’s training timeline and staffing mandates are workable for the industry.

Supporters said the bill preserves safety standards while providing flexibility to avoid disrupting broadband deployment. Opponents said reducing training hours and clarifying who must be certified could weaken public and worker safety.

Representative Schultz presented the bill and a related A1 amendment, which the committee approved before debate. Melissa Wolf, executive director of the Minnesota Cable Communications Association, testified the law enacted last session will disqualify ‘‘thousands of experienced broadband installers’’ without changes, because a July 1 compliance deadline and a 40-hour training requirement are impossible to meet statewide before thaw and peak construction season. Wolf told the committee, “When this deadline is missed … providers and contractors will have three impossible choices. Shutdown projects … continue working out of compliance … or lose permits delaying broadband access indefinitely.”

Industry witnesses said the implementation schedule and the hands-on portion of training cannot be completed across the state by July 1. Nick Anderson of Anderson Underground and Brent Christensen of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance described apprenticeship programs and industry safety curricula they say should be recognized as qualifying training. Joel Hansen of Associated Builders and Contractors said his organization is developing a program and estimated demand for roughly 1,000 trainees, but said Minnesota’s abbreviated construction season makes meeting the July 1 deadline unlikely without an extension.

Labor and safety proponents urged caution. Kevin Prentice of Laborers’ International Union (LiUNA) and Jake Schweitzer of North Star Policy Action cited continuing high rates of damage to buried utilities tied to telecom installation and warned that cutting training hours “would turn safety standards into a box‑checking exercise.” CenterPoint Energy’s damage prevention manager, Crystal Gores, presented utility data showing increases in telecom-related underground damages and urged retaining robust requirements.

Representative Schultz said the bill does not repeal the safety standards established last year but seeks to make them workable by clarifying who must be certified and extending timelines so installers can complete required hands‑on training after thaw. The bill’s supporters noted federal broadband funding expected in Minnesota — cited in testimony as roughly $652,000,000 over four years — and argued the state must avoid interrupting deployment.

After discussion the committee took a roll call. Chair Anderson renewed his motion that House File 47 be passed and sent to the general register; the chair and seven members voted yes, and six members voted no. The clerk recorded the following votes: Chair Anderson — aye; Representative Harter — aye; Representative Hansen — no; Representative Smith — no (\"in its current form\"); Representative Agbache — no; Representative Buerkle — aye; Representative Frederick — no; Representative Gander — aye; Representative Jacob — yes; Representative Lawrence — yes; Representative Lee — no; Representative Nelson — aye; Representative Vang — no. The motion passed, and the bill will move to the general register for further consideration.

Committee members said they expect continued stakeholder work on the specific language clarifying which workers must be certified and on timing. Representative Hansen indicated he would withhold a final vote in other settings until further daylighted committee work occurs.

The committee record shows extended testimony from industry, trade associations, labor unions and utilities; the debate centered on implementation logistics rather than disagreement that safety is a priority. For now, the committee’s action advances the bill but leaves outstanding work for subsequent floor and interchamber consideration.","The House Ag Finance and Policy Committee voted 7-6 to send House File 47 to the general register after debate about training timelines, staffing mandates and safety standards in last year’s telecommunications installer law.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews avian influenza prevention bill; members approve laser grant language but reject one biosecurity amendment

Panel backs continued funding for farm mental health and safety outreach; amendment expands worker eligibility

Committee lays over bill to allow import of reindeer amid state chronic wasting disease concerns

House committee advances fix to Minnesota broadband installer law after safety, timing debate