Bill
HF 1517
HF 1517 would fund a cooperative of Black veteran farmers through the Minnesota Black Farmers Association to buy advanced 21st century farming equipment.
Overview
HF 1517 would provide state funding to the Minnesota Black Farmers Association to purchase advanced 21st-century farming equipment for use by a cooperative of Black veteran farmers. The bill operates within the Agriculture and Minority affairs framework and would involve appropriation of funds to support equipment modernization for minority veteran farmers.
Purpose and Intent
- Create a funding mechanism to equip a cooperative of Black veteran farmers with modern farming equipment.
- Support the growth and productivity of Black veteran agricultural producers by providing access to technology and equipment described as “advanced 21st century.”
Key Provisions
- Appropriation of funds (specific amounts not listed in the available information) to the Minnesota Black Farmers Association.
- Use of the appropriated funds to purchase advanced farming equipment for use by a cooperative of Black veteran farmers.
- The bill explicitly ties the funding to a cooperative structure, implying a collective/farmers’ cooperative model rather than individual grants.
- The language indicates administration and oversight would occur under the bill’s framework, though detailed program requirements are not provided in the available text.
Beneficiaries and Affected Parties
- Primary beneficiaries: Black veteran farmers organized in or through a cooperative affiliated with the Minnesota Black Farmers Association.
- Potentially affected state entities: Minnesota Department of Agriculture or related agricultural policy/financing bodies may oversee or coordinate the program as part of Agriculture Finance and Policy.
- Legislative stakeholders: Members of the Agriculture Finance and Policy committee and related budget or minority affairs committees.
Fiscal Implications
- The bill would authorize an appropriation for the specified purpose. The exact funding amount, source, and any matching or reporting requirements are not provided in the information available here.
- As an appropriation measure, final fiscal details would be determined during committee deliberations and the broader state budget process.
Procedural History and Status
- Introduced: February 26, 2025.
- Legislative Actions:
- February 26, 2025: Introduction and first reading; referred to Agriculture Finance and Policy.
- April 10, 2025: Author added Momanyi-Hiltsley.
- April 21, 2025: Author added Vang.
- Related Bill: SF 2473 (companion).
Companion Legislation
- SF 2473 mirrors HF 1517 in the Senate, providing a parallel path for funding to support a Black veteran farmers cooperative’s equipment needs.
Next Steps
- If advanced, HF 1517 would move through committee hearings (Agriculture Finance and Policy) for testimony, potential amendments, and fiscal analysis.
- Final passage would require approval by both chambers and signature or veto timing consistent with Minnesota’s legislative process.
- Stakeholders may seek specificity on funding amounts, eligible equipment, performance metrics, reporting requirements, and program governance.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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