Bill Summary (SF2061)

• Modifies Minnesota agriculture statutes relating to pesticides, plants, nursery law, inspections, enforcement, food, animals, grain, and weights and measures; creates new Chapter 34A consolidating food safety and enforcement provisions

• Updates sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management reporting requirements; removes biennial reporting mandate and replaces with consolidated standards; modifies pesticide disposal site requirements and adds indemnification protections for local units of government

• Modifies grain buyer and warehouse operator bonding requirements, financial reporting standards, and examination procedures; updates tree care provider registration with annual fees and defines registration requirements for commercial tree care employers

• Consolidates fragmented food adulteration and misbranding definitions across multiple chapters into unified Chapter 34A with centralized enforcement authority, administrative penalties (up to $1,500 per violation), civil penalties (up to $7,500 per day), and criminal penalties for violations

• Delays effective date for wind easement limitations to June 1, 2017; modifies ethanol fuel content requirements with effective date of August 30, 2014; extends biodiesel blender pump grant program sunset to June 30, 2015