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Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
3:00 PM, 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.

Minutes



Present: Senator Aric Putnam - Chair, Senator Robert J. Kupec - Vice Chair, Senator Torrey N. Westrom - Ranking Minority Member, Senator Gary H. Dahms, Senator Gene Dornink, Senator Heather Gustafson, Senator Michael W. Holmstrom, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Judy Seeberger

Absent: No Members Absent

Senator Aric Putnam called the meeting to order at 3:14pm

S.F. 5073: Senator Putnam: Agricultural provisions modification.

***Gavel changes to Senator Kupec, 3:15pm*** Senator Putnam offers A-1 DE amendment. A-1 amendment adopted. Senator Putnam moves A-5 amendment. A-5 amendment adopted. Senator Putnam moves the A-8 amendment. A-8 amendment adopted. Senator Kunesh offers A-2 amendment. A-2 amendment, as amended, is adopted. Senator Holmstrom offers the A-13 amendment to the A-2 amendment. A-13 amendment not adopted. Senator Westrom offers the A-9 amendment to the A-2 amendment. A-9 amendment adopted. Senator Westrom offers A-6 amendment. Senator Putnam asks for a roll call. Roll call granted. With 5 yes votes and 4 no votes, the A-6 amendment is adopted. Senator Kupec offers the A-7 amendment. Senator Kupec withdraws the A-7 amendment. Testifiers: Morgan Schafer – Healthy Legacy Organizer, Clean Water Action in Minnesota, Hunter Pederson – Public Policy Specialist, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Laura Schreiber – Government Relations Director, Land Stewardship Project, Stu Lourey – Government Relations Director, Minnesota Farmers Union, Thom Petersen, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ashlee Bress – Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Andrea Vaubel – Deputy Commissioner, MDA, Joshua Stamper – Division Director for Pesticide and Fertilizer, MDA Senator Putnam moves that SF 5073 pass as amended and be sent to finance. Motion prevails. Senator Putnam requested a roll call vote for the 5/4 (Ayes: Kupec, Westrom, Dahms, Dornink, Holmstrom; Nays: Putnam, Gustafson, Kunesh, Seeberger) MOTION PREVAILED

Senator Putnam moved that S.F. 5073, as amended, recommended to pass and re-referred to the Finance Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:26pm


 
                                                                      
Senator Aric Putnam, Chair
                                                                      
Keely Spens, Legislative Assistant