Subdivision 1. Establishment; appropriation.
An agricultural emergency account is established in the agricultural fund. Money in the account, including interest, is appropriated to the commissioner for emergency preparedness and response activities for agricultural emergencies affecting producers of livestock, poultry, crops, or other agricultural products. Eligible emergency response uses include agency costs directly attributed to responding to agricultural emergencies and purchasing necessary equipment and reimbursing costs incurred by local units of government that are not eligible for reimbursement from other sources. Eligible emergency preparedness uses are limited to training and the procurement of equipment and supplies.
Subd. 2. Transfer authorized.
The commissioner may transfer money in the account to the Board of Animal Health, other state agencies, or the University of Minnesota for purposes of subdivision 1.
Subd. 3. Annual report.
No later than February 1 each year, the commissioner must report activities and expenditures under this section to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture finance.