Minnesota implemented new labor mandates, workplace restrictions and business taxes last session, 
significantly increasing the cost of doing business in Minnesota. Minnesota dairy farmers ask:

• For an agricultural exemption to ESST – Dairy farms are unlike most places of work. Farmers depend on the weather and cow biology on when work gets done. Dairy farmers with fewer than 5 FTEs won’t have H.R. departments or even dedicated personnel. We ask to exempt those with five and fewer FTEs from the ESST law.
• The legislature to delay the Paid Family and Medical Leave Law – the law needs more work before launch. The legislature should take time to look at the total number of weeks, benefit formula and definitions of seasonal workers. Overall, we believe dairy farmers should again be exempted or allowed to supply benefits in other ways.
• The Secure Choice Retirement Plan for further delay or agricultural exemption – While simple in design, the Secure Choice Retirement Plan was confusing for employers. This delay is a great example of what can happen to the above laws.

MN Milk supports holding DAIRI money until a new farm bill can be approved. The DAIRI program showed one of the best returns on investment for state dollars for dairy farmers in partnership with federal programming. Unfortunately, the farm bill has been held up with two one-year extensions. DAIRI funding should remain tied to a 5 year DMC program sign up authorized by a new Farm Bill. 

The optimization of feedlot regulations is necessary to encourage natural family farm growth. County and local feedlot permit applications should be accepted concurrently with environmental review. We also oppose the reopening of the 7020 Feedlot Rules.