HF 1192 Summary

• Establishes the Farm Safety Working Group in Minnesota Statutes chapter 17 with 14 members including state commissioners (agriculture, health, labor and industry), university representatives, and industry/organization representatives to advise the commissioner and legislature on farm safety issues.

• Working group expires June 30, 2021 and must coordinate farm safety resources, monitor initiative impacts, explore farm safety certification programs with financial incentives, and increase farmer awareness of workplace safety consultation programs.

• Appropriates $100,000 in fiscal year 2018 to the Department of Agriculture: $50,000 for grants to support farm safety programs (preference for dollar-for-dollar matching), and $50,000 to promote safety training programs and farm safety youth education.

• Appropriates $150,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2019 to the University of Minnesota Regents to reestablish a farm safety extension position to improve farm safety and serve as a link between academia, industry, government, and the agricultural community.