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| Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economies |
| Tuesday, February 14, 2012 |
| 1:00 PM, Room 107, Capitol |
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| Minutes
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Present: Senator Doug Magnus - Chair, Senator Gary H. Dahms - Vice Chair, Senator Michelle R. Benson, Senator David M. Brown, Senator Kenneth S. Kelash, Senator Jeremy R. Miller, Senator Carla J. Nelson, Senator Julie A. Rosen, Senator Tom Saxhaug, Senator Dan Sparks
Absent: Senator Gary W. Kubly, Senator Sean R. Nienow, Senator Rod Skoe, Senator LeRoy A. Stumpf |
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Senator Magnus discussed the possibility of a joint hearing with the Senate Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. The chair of that committee, Senator Rosen, commented that a joint hearing on natural gas would be beneficial to members. Senator Magnus suggested a meeting date of possibly Thursday, February 23. Senator Magnus reminded members that this committee asked the agency to review energy issues and that biofuels and wind energy will be discussed during this Thursday’s meeting (February 16).
Senator Rosen moved that Senate File 1713, be recommended to pass and sent to Finance Committee. She presented her bill. The following people testified on the bill:
• Jim Boerboom, MDA Deputy Commissioner
• Greta Gauthier, MDA Director of Government Relations
• Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Farmer and Executive Director of Main Street Project
• Ly Van, Executive Director of Association for Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota
• Susan Stokes, Executive Director of Farmers’ Legal Action Group
• Paul Kohls, general counsel, AgStar Financial Services
Senator Rosen renewed her motion. Motion prevailed.
Rural Finance Authority (RFA) Overview and Review of Dept. of Agriculture Bonding Requests
Jim Boerboom, MDA Deputy Commissioner provided a history of RFA and the department’s loan experience. Senate Counsel, Greg Knopff, also contributed to the discussion of the bonding history. Discussion. Senator Magnus suggested members lobby those members who also serve on the Capital Investment Committee, specifically Senators Brown, Miller and Nelson.
Senator Magnus reminded members of Thursday’s meeting.
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| | S.F. 1713: Senator Rosen: Immigrant and minority pilot microloan program establishment and agroforestry loan program repeal.
Be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Finance. | | | Rural Finance Authority Overview
| | | Review of MN Department of Agriculture Bonding Requests
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The meeting was adjourned at 1:52 p.m.
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Senator Doug Magnus, Chair
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Wendy Haavisto, Legislative Assistant
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