SF4223 Summary

• Seed Law Updates: Establishes new seed definitions (labeler, recommended uniform seed law standards), creates Seed Program Advisory Committee to evaluate and designate restricted/prohibited noxious weed seeds, requires hemp seed labelers to test parent plants for delta-9 THC compliance, and expands seed recordkeeping requirements.

• Noxious Weed Management: Restructures noxious weed categories into prohibited-eradicate, prohibited-control, restricted, specially regulated plants, and county noxious weeds; allows cooperative weed management areas (CWMAs); defines biological control of plants and invasive plants; increases grant program funding for weed management.

• Meat and Poultry Processing: Clarifies custom processor definitions to include wild game and fowl; expands meat food product definitions to include wild game and additional livestock species; updates inspection exemptions for custom processing of animals and game.

• Agricultural Education: Changes Minnesota Agriculture Education Leadership Council from 17 to 16 members; updates member representation from university departments and legislative committees; continues grant programs for agricultural education at elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels.

• Miscellaneous Changes: Grants veterinarian immunity for good-faith animal cruelty reports (effective August 1, 2020); increases farm microloan limits from $10,000 to $20,000; extends grain buyer contract timelines from 10 to 30 days; adopts Model Pet Food Regulation standards; modifies egg temperature storage requirements.