Rotational grazing pilot program establishment and appropriation
SF 3686 establishes a rotational grazing pilot program in Minnesota, providing grants to farmers for implementing or improving rotational grazing systems. The program awards up to $25,000 per farmer (requiring a 50% match from the farmer) to establish perennial forages or purchase infrastructure like fencing and watering systems, with funds reimbursed after implementation. It aims to enhance prairie/woodland use and protect water sources by controlling livestock density and rotation. The program is funded with $2 million from the environment trust fund for fiscal year 2027, requiring a 2028 report on grant distribution and results.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 19, 2026
Last action Mar 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduction
→
1st Engrossment
·
2 edits
·
Mar 2, 2026
MINOR
The bill was updated from its initial introduction to its first engrossment, reflecting a new version approved by the legislature. The most significant substantive change expands the definition of permitted purposes for purchasing rotational grazing infrastructure to explicitly include grazing on any private or public land where the farmer has authorization, clarifying and broadening eligibility for funding.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly authorize the use of funds for rotational grazing on both private and public lands, provided the farmer is authorized to graze there.
ELIGIBILITY
Added explicit permission to use funds for rotational grazing on any private or public land where the farmer is authorized to graze, removing previous ambiguity about land type restrictions.
TIMELINE
The bill's status changed from 'Introduction' to '1st Engrossment,' and the posting date was updated from February 27, 2026, to March 3, 2026, indicating legislative progress.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Mar 2, 2026
Committee
Comm report: Amended, No recommendation, re-referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
Introduction and first reading
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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