The Minnesota Senate today passed a significant Agriculture, Broadband, and Housing bill to help Minnesota farmers and families. The legislation works to expand broadband funding, addresses urgent concerns in our agriculture sector and improves access to affordable housing. The legislation also works to help farmers combat the ongoing Avian influenza outbreak by appropriating $500,000 to the agricultural emergency account to be used for avian influenza testing supplies. Additionally, included is $350,000 for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota for equipment to test for chronic wasting disease (CWD), African swine fever, avian influenza, and other animal diseases. 

“We want Minnesotans across the state to have access to reliable internet and affordable housing, and we want to address issues facing our agricultural industries, and this bill strikes a balance between those priorities,” said Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point). “Today’s legislation makes smart investments that will help Minnesota families and farmers across the state.”

Other notable provisions in the bill include: 

• Provides historic funding up to $210 million of federal money to further expand broadband across the state
• $35 million investment in the Homeownership Investment Grants Program to increase affordable home ownership
• $10 million in funding for the Workforce Homeownership Program to increase the supply of workforce and affordable, owner-occupied housing 

A portion of this bill also continues to invest in meat-cutting programs championed by Sen. Ruud in previous legislative sessions. This includes investments in meat cutting and butchery training programs; money to start, modernize or expand meat, poultry, dairy, and egg processing facilities; and grants for training high school students and employees of small processors.