The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 17.118, to modify the livestock investment grant program. It changes the grant award structure, allowing the commissioner to award grants equal to 50 percent of the first $20,000 of qualifying expenditures and 20 percent of the next $220,000, replacing the previous structure of ten percent of the first $500,000 of qualifying expenditures. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "livestock" to include rabbits, donkeys, and alpacas, and clarifies the types of qualifying expenditures that can be made for livestock production, including various equipment and facility improvements.

Furthermore, the eligibility criteria for receiving a livestock investment grant are updated to include representatives of Minnesota Tribal governments, alongside existing requirements for residents or entities eligible to own farmland in the state. The bill emphasizes the need for applicants to provide documentation of qualifying expenditures during the application process. Overall, these changes aim to enhance support for livestock producers in Minnesota by broadening the scope of the grant program and making it more accessible.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 17.118