Minnesota Agencies

The Committee advises the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture concerning responsibilities under the Noxious Weed Control Program. The Committee evaluates species for invasiveness, difficulty of control, cost of control, benefits, and amount of injury caused by them. For each species evaluated, the committee shall recommend to the commissioner on which noxious weed list or lists, if any, the species should be placed. The committee shall also advise the commissioner on the implementation of the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law and assist the commissioner in the development of management criteria for each noxious weed category. Members of the committee are not entitled to reimbursement of expenses nor payment of per diem. Members shall serve two-year terms with subsequent reappointment by the commissioner.

Changes to the Noxious Weed Law in 2009 included the establishment of an advisory committee. The committee was originally set to expire June 30, 2013, however, 2013 Minn. Laws Chap. 114 Sec. 69 repealed this expiration date. The 2013 law also expanded the Committee membership to include a representative from the Minnesota Association of County Land Commissioners; and other members as needed.

The Noxious Weed Advisory Committee was reviewed by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy (LCPFP) in 2013 as part of their biennial duty required by Minn. Stat. 3.885 Subd. 11. The LCPFP's 2013 Recommendations called for keeping the committee.

The commissioner of agriculture shall appoint members, which shall include representatives from the following: horticultural science, agronomy, and forestry at the University of Minnesota; the nursery and landscape industry in Minnesota; the seed industry in Minnesota; the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Natural Resources; a conservation organization; an environmental organization; at least two farm organizations; the county agricultural inspectors; city, township, and county governments; the Department of Transportation; the University of Minnesota Extension; the timber and forestry industry in Minnesota; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; and soil and water conservation districts.; Minnesota Association of County Land Commissioners; and members as needed.

Members shall serve two-year terms with subsequent reappointment by the commissioner. The committee shall select a chair from its membership. Meetings of the committee may be called by or at the direction of the commissioner or upon direction of the chair.