3/19/04
Your help is needed to stop two bills that would pave the way for more factory farms in Minnesota.
Nuisance lawsuit bill—Senate File 2866
Proposed legislation that would exempt most large feedlots from nuisance lawsuits will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 23. Senate File 2866 is authored by Senator Skoe (DFL-Clearbrook) and co-authored by Senators Vickerman (DFL- Tracy), Sams (DFL- Staples), Rosen (R- Fairmont)) and Hann (R- Eden Prairie).
When regulatory officials and the operator of a feedlot refuse to take action to correct a nuisance, the courts are the last option of neighbors who are adversely affected by the operation. This bill would take that from them. Current law already provides generous exemptions to the operators of feedlots against nuisance lawsuits. This bill unreasonably extends that protection. For example, current law does not provide exemptions from a nuisance suit when the facility causes injury or direct threat of injury to the health and safety of any person. This proposed bill exempts feedlots from nuisance suits even in instances of injury or direct threat of injury.
Recent court rulings have found that not only is the manager of the confinement feedlot liable for damages in a nuisance suit but also the company who owns the animals. Now that these integrators, such as Christensen Farms, Wakefield Pork, and Holden Farms, are potentially liable, they want to take away neighbors rights to protect themselves and recover damages.
Please take action to stop Senate File 2866! Call members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and tell them the current law should not be weakened and that factory farms do not need any more special protections!
Senate Judiciary Committee members listed in order of priority:
• Chair Sen. Don Betzold - DFL: 651-296-2556 E-mail: sen.don.betzold@senate.mn
• Sen. Wes Skoglund - DFL: 651-296-4274 E-mail: sen.wes.skoglund@senate.mn
• Sen. Ann Rest - DFL: 651-296-2889 Email: Use Mail Form provided at http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/sendis45_email.htm
• Sen. Richard Cohen - DFL: 651-296-5931 Email: Use Mail Form provided at http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/sendis64_email.htm
• Sen. John Hottinger - DFL: 651-296-6153 Email: Use Mail Form provided at http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/sendis23_email.htm
• Sen. Warren Limmer - R: 651-296-2159 E-mail: sen.warren.limmer@senate.mn
• Sen. Thomas Neuville - R: 651-296-1279 E-mail: sen.thomas.neuville@senate.mn
• Sen. Julianne Ortman - R: 651-296-4837 E-mail: sen.julianne.ortman@senate.mn
• Sen. David Hann - R: 651-296-1749 E-mail: sen.david.hann@senate.mn
Update on Senate File 717, the “Alien Ownership” bill
Senator Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples) resurrected the "Alien Ownership" bill, which he voted against last year in conference committee after much grassroots pressure, and has introduced it this year with himself as chief author. The bill passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee and is headed to the Senate floor. It could be voted on any day now. The Minnesota Dept. of Ag testified in support of the bill. Though LSP members were there to testify in opposition, we were not allowed to speak.
Senate File 717 would allow holders of E-2 non-immigrant investment visas to own Minnesota farmland. The bill is designed to allow foreign investors to finance mega-dairy operations in Minnesota. LSP supports current Minnesota law, which already allows immigrants to own farmland.
Here’s what long-time LSP member and dairy farmer Bill McMillin says: "Current Minnesota law allows immigrants to own farmland and that has been good for our rural communities. This bill is about non-immigrant foreign investors. Special privileges should not be given to wealthy outside investors who can afford to buy their way in. It puts Minnesota farmers, including immigrants, at a disadvantage when we have to compete for land with large amounts of foreign capital."
Calls are needed to all state senators and state representatives, telling them to oppose Senate File 717. If you do not know the name of your legislators you can get their name and contact information by calling 1-800-657-3550 for House information and 888-234-1112 for Senate information.
Read the Agri-News editorial “Deep Six Alien Ownership; move onto better bills” that opposes Senate File 717 at http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/04/itn_040317.htm.
For more information on either of these bills contact LSP organizer Bobby King at 507-523-3366, or LSP organizer Paul Sobocinski at 507-342-2323 or 507-430-1509 (cell).
