By Scout Nelson
Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session ended under the shadow of a tragic incident that claimed the lives of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left Senator John Hoffman and his wife injured. Despite the grief, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) continues its commitment to keep corn farmers informed.
After the regular session, which had already finalized the agriculture budget, lawmakers returned for a special session on June 9 to complete pending work. They passed 14 bills, forming a $66 billion budget aimed at reducing the projected $6 billion deficit for the 2028–2029 fiscal years. The MCGA focused closely on the tax bill and environmental permitting reforms.
One of the biggest letdowns was the tax bill. It failed to improve property tax rules related to state-mandated buffers and did not support changes to the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit. It also did not expand funding or policy language for Minnesota’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tax credit. However, it did include a technical fix ensuring 2023 SAF credit funds remain available in future years.
The environment bill brought notable progress. It revised Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) rules so that only signatures from the county or nearby counties are valid. It also removed the need for EAWs if a project already requires a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Additionally, applicants now have five business days to correct errors before a permit can be marked incomplete, avoiding a restart of the application process.
The MCGA has released a complete summary highlighting outcomes relevant to Minnesota corn farmers. These efforts reflect the ongoing work to support agriculture through smart policy and clear communication.
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy