Bill Text: AZ HB2354 | 2023 | Fifty-sixth Legislature 1st Regular | Introduced

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Bill Title: Local agriculture; public schools; program

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-01-19 - House read second time [HB2354 Detail]

Download: Arizona-2023-HB2354-Introduced.html

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REFERENCE TITLE: local agriculture; public schools; program

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

 

 

 

HB 2354

 

Introduced by

Representatives Contreras P: Aguilar, Austin, Cano, Gutierrez, Ortiz, Sandoval, Schwiebert, Stahl Hamilton, Sun, Terech, Travers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending title 3, chapter 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 6; RELATING to agriculture.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 3, chapter 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 6, to read:

ARTICLE 6. FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM

START_STATUTE3-171. Definitions

in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "LOCALLY GROWN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS" MEANS ANY FOOD OR FIBER PRODUCED OR PROCESSED BY A SMALL AGRIBUSINESS OR SMALL FARM.

2. "schools" means any school in this state that administers and maintains a food service program under the United States Department of Agriculture or its successor agency. END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE3-172. Farm to school program; duties

A. the farm to school program is established within the department to connect farmers in this state with schools in this state to provide locally grown agricultural products for inclusion in school meals and strengthen local farming economies.

b. The department shall:

1. administer and monitor the program.

2. Designate a liaison between farmers and schools.

3. encourage schools to procure and use locally grown agricultural products.

c. The following AGENCIES shall provide CONSULTATION and staff support to ASSIST in the IMPLEMENTATION of this section:

1. The department of health services.

2. The department of education.

3. the department of ADMINISTRATION.

d. the farm to school program SHALL do the following:

1. EsTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A WEBSITE TO ALLOW FARMERS AND SCHOOLs TO CONNECT AND SHARE INFORMATION, INCLUDing locally grown AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTs' PRICING, THE TIME the locally grown agricultural PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE AND THE FARMERS willingness TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR locally grown agricultural PRODUCTS.

2. ENCOURAGe SCHOOLS TO PROCURE AND USE LOCALLY GROWN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

3. CONDUCT WORKSHOPS and TRAINING SESSIONs AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL OFFICIALS, FARMERS, locally grown agricultural product DISTRIBUTORS AND PROCESSors.

4. apply for grants or other funding sources to support the farm to school program. The department shall deposit, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, all monies collected pursuant to this section in the farm to school fund established by section 3-174. END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE3-173. Farm to school task force; membership; duties; annual report

A. the farm to school task force is established consisting of the following members:

1. The director of the Arizona department of agriculture or the director's designee.

2 The director of the UNIVERSITY of Arizona Cooperative extension or the director's designee.

3. the superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee.

4. the director of the department of ADMINISTRATION or the director's designee.

5. Two members who have EXPERIENCE in and who are actively ENGAGED in agribusiness. The director of the Arizona department of agriculture shall appoint these members.

6. Two members who have EXPERIENCE in and who direct a school food service program. The director of the Arizona department of agriculture shall appoint these members.

b. the director of the Arizona DEPARTMENT of agriculture or the director's designee shall serve as the chairperson of the task force.

c. the task force shall:

1. provide recommendations to the Arizona department of agriculture, the Farm to school program and the department of education to Allow schools to incorporate locally grown agricultural PRODUCTS into school cafeteria offerings, salad bars, vending machines and other food sold or distributed at the school.

2. Review various school food service contracts to identify standardized LANGUAGE for food service contracts.

3. recommend to the Arizona department of agriculture, the DEPARTMENT of ADMINISTRATION, the Farm to school program and the department of education food service providers standardized language for food service contracts that ensures greater use of locally grown agricultural products.

d. the task force shall meet at least twice. the Arizona department of agriculture may provide ADMINISTRATIVE assistance to the task force as required.

e. The task force may hold public meetings and invite testimony from experts or solicit information from any party the task force deems RELEVANT.

F. On or before January 1, 2025 and each year thereafter, submit a report regarding the task force's findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the director of each agency represented on the task force and shall provide a copy of the report to the secretary of state. END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE3-174. Farm to school fund

A. The Farm to school fund is established consisting of monies collected pursuant to section 3-172. Monies in the fund shall be used for the exclusive purpose of implementing, continuing and supporting the farm to school program established by this article.

B. The director shall administer the fund. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Short title

This act may be cited as the "Farm to School Act".