Committee advances bill to replenish depredation compensation for elk and wolf damage with $250,000 appropriation

The Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee on April 1 moved House File 601 to the general register after the author described it as a $250,000 fiscal-year 2025 appropriation to catch up depredation claims for farmers and livestock producers.

Author Representative Burkel said HF601 "is an appropriation for fiscal year '25" to address depleted current funding for depredation claims, explaining the bill would provide $250,000 this year. He described how the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) administers depredation compensation, saying an authorized agent investigates and estimates value of crop, fence or livestock losses and that payment is based on fair market value determined by MDA in consultation with extension or other agents.

Representative Burkel described the claims process on the record: producers must report a loss within 48 hours, an investigation follows, and MDA determines whether the loss is a wolf kill and, if so, the market value. "Once the loss is discovered by the producer, they need to report that claim within 48 hours, and then the investigation on the farm happens," he said.

Burkel also noted longstanding program limits, saying the $20,000 per‑claim cap was set in 1987 and can be a problem for producers: "The fence claims and the crop damage that a herd of elk can do in a short time overnight… 40 acres of soybeans can be trampled overnight. So, the $20,000 cap is a problem." He also told the committee that carryover funds were low and said, "I think as I just heard from Department of Ag that, the L carryover number right now is about $93,000 plus, and wolf, wolf claims are over 20, almost 22,000 if I remember correctly." (Quote reflects transcript wording.)

Representative Kotyza with Jones asked whether the bill’s funding would supplement insurance or make producers whole; Burkel said the appropriation is intended to "catch up" producers with unpaid claims currently pending at MDA. Representative Scott asked whether elk hunting is allowed; Burkel confirmed there are elk tags but said hunt timing and availability vary by herd.

Chair Torkleston called the voice vote and the committee approved placing HF601 on the general register. The bill record on the transcript indicates it was agreed to as part of the previously adopted budget targets.

The transcript records the committee motion and its approval by voice vote; it does not include a roll-call tally.