The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 28A.081, subdivision 1, to modify the payment provisions for food certificates issued by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. A fee of $125 will continue to be charged for each certificate requested, which facilitates the export of Minnesota processed and manufactured foods. The types of certificates covered include various health and sanitation certificates, as well as certificates of free sale and origin. Key changes in the bill include the requirement that the commissioner must receive payment with the request or within seven days after issuing a certificate. Additionally, the requesting person must submit payment at the time of receiving the request or date. If payment is not received within 15 days of the billing date, the commissioner is prohibited from issuing any future certificates until all previous fees are paid in full. The fees collected will be deposited into the food certificate account or another account in the agricultural fund if applicable.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 28A.081