Karst region nitrogen fertilizer use reduction soil health grants appropriations

1.1 A bill for an act​ 1.2 relating to agriculture; appropriating money for soil health grants that enable​ 1.3 farmers in the Karst region to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use.​ 1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​ 1.5 Section 1. APPROPRIATION; SOIL HEALTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE​ 1.6 GRANTS; KARST REGION NITROGEN FERTILIZER REDUCTION.​ 1.7 (a) $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner​ 1.8 of agriculture for soil health financial assistance grants under Minnesota Statutes, section​ 1.9 17.134, to eligible applicants located in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower,​ 1.10 Olmsted, Wabasha, or Winona County. The commissioner may award grants under this​ 1.11 appropriation only for projects that the commissioner reasonably anticipates will result in​ 1.12 a measurable decrease in the application of nitrogen fertilizer by:​ 1.13 (1) increasing the usage of precision agricultural practices under Minnesota Statutes,​ 1.14 section 17.134, subdivision 2, clause (4); or​ 1.15 (2) enabling purchases under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.134, subdivision 2, clause​ 1.16 (6), that further increase usage of precision agricultural practices.​ 1.17 (b) This is a onetime appropriation. Amounts encumbered under contract by June 30,​ 1.18 2025, are available until June 30, 2027. This appropriation is in addition to the soil health​ 1.19 financial assistance program appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 43, article 1, section 2,​ 1.20 subdivision 2, paragraph (b).​ 1​Section 1.​ 24-07297 as introduced​02/23/24 REVISOR BD/BM​ SENATE​ STATE OF MINNESOTA​ S.F. No. 4774​NINETY-THIRD SESSION​ (SENATE AUTHORS: DRAZKOWSKI)​ OFFICIAL STATUS​D-PG​DATE​ Introduction and first reading​03/07/2024​ Referred to Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development​