The Minnesota House and Senate Agriculture Committees have formally submitted their resolution to delay the adoption of the proposed nitrogen rule.
Under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.126, subdivision 1, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) may not adopt the proposed rules until after the legislature adjourns the annual session that began after the adoption of this resolution, if a like resolution is adopted by a standing committee of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the proposed rules as designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The action taken by the legislature will not delay any of the proposed regulatory actions as they will not go into effect until 2020. This simply gives elected officials and stakeholders, including Minnesota farmers and ranchers, more time to address any remaining questions and concerns with the rule. It is unclear how this will impact the Administrative Law Judge Hearings scheduled for this summer. It is our understanding that the MDA will continue to host the remaining informational meetings around the state.
The committees adopted Chapter 14.126 which allows the standing committees with jurisdiction to vote to advise an agency that a proposed rule should not be adopted as proposed, the agency may not adopt the rule until after the next legislative session that began after the vote of the committees. This resolution does not require further action by the full legislature or the Governor.
The full posting in the State Register can be found here – page 6
Source: MN Farm Bureau