Bill Text: MO HB873 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes the Missouri Sustainable Local Food Policy Council for the purpose of building a local food economy
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-12 - Referred: Agri-Business (H) [HB873 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2011-HB873-Introduced.html
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES WYATT (Sponsor) AND FRANKLIN (Co-sponsor).
1389L.02I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 262, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the Missouri sustainable local food policy council.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 262, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 262.675, to read as follows:
262.675. 1. There is hereby created the "Missouri Sustainable Local Food Policy Council" within the department of agriculture for the purpose of building a local food economy benefitting Missouri by creating jobs, stimulating statewide economic development, preservation of farmlands and water resources, increasing consumer access to fresh and nutritious foods, and providing greater food security for all Missourians.
2. The council shall be comprised of the following members:
(1) The director of the department of agriculture, or the director's designee;
(2) A member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house;
(3) A member of the senate appointed by the president pro tem of the senate;
(4) The commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee;
(5) The director of the department of health and senior services, or the director's designee;
(6) The director of the department of social services, or the director's designee;
(7) The director of the department of economic development, or the director's designee;
(8) The president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, or the president's designee;
(9) Three local food producers, at least one of whom shall be a sustainable local food producer, to be appointed by the director of the department of agriculture;
(10) One representative of a food bank located in Missouri to be appointed by the director of the department of agriculture;
(11) One representative of Truman State University, to be appointed by the chancellor of the university;
(12) One representative of Missouri State University, to be appointed by the chancellor of the university;
(13) One representative from Northwest Missouri State University, to be appointed by the president of the university;
(14) One representative from the University of Missouri extension service;
(15) One registered dietician appointed by the Missouri Dietetic Association (MDA);
(16) One representative of a business specializing in retail or direct food sales appointed by the director of the department of agriculture;
(17) One representative of a farmers market management organization appointed by the director of the department of agriculture;
(18) One representative from the Missouri Soybean Association, appointed by the president of the association;
(19) One representative from the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, appointed by the president of the association;
(20) One representative from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, appointed by the president of the association; and
(21) One representative from the Missouri Pork Association, appointed by the chairman of the board of directors of the association.
3. The director of the department of agriculture shall appoint the chair of the council, and all other officers, if any, shall be elected by the membership of the council. The director shall convene the council for its first meeting no later than December 1, 2011. Support staff for the council shall be provided by the departments and agencies of the executive branch, as requested by the chair of the council. The council shall meet at regularly scheduled intervals, not less than quarterly, and at the call of the chair thereafter.
4. Members of the council shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
5. Council members shall not receive additional compensation or a per diem for serving on the council; except that, legislative members shall receive the same per diem and travel allowance as is normally provided for meetings of legislative committees, payable out of funds appropriated for expenses of the general assembly.
6. In developing sustainable local food policies for Missouri, the council may consider the following policy issues:
(1) An assessment of the foods that are served to public school students under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program and the possibility of increasing the amount of sustainable local food used in such programs;
(2) An analysis of the possibility of making sustainable local food available under public assistance programs, including the possibility of the use of food stamps and the Women's, Infant's and Children's (WIC) benefits at local farmers markets;
(3) An analysis of the potential of promoting urban gardens and backyard gardens for the purpose of improving the health of citizens, making use of idle urban property, and lowering food costs for Missouri;
(4) An evaluation of the potential impacts that the production of sustainable local food would have on economic development, both the direct impacts for the producers of sustainable local food and the actual and potential indirect impacts;
(5) Identification of local and regional efforts that could provide information and training programs to assist entrepreneurs and local farmers pursuing opportunities related to a sustainable local food economy;
(6) Issues regarding the identification and development of solutions to regulatory and policy barriers to developing a strong sustainable local food economy;
(7) Issues regarding strengthening local infrastructure and entrepreneurial efforts related to a sustainable local food economy;
(8) Any other strategies, initiatives, or policy issues that the council deems necessary in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under this section.
7. The council may seek and accept gifts, grants, and donations from public and private entities to use for the purpose of this section.
8. The council may use existing programs that it determines to be useful in performing its duties under this section.
9. On or before November 1, 2014, the council shall report its findings and recommendations, including any legislative proposals or proposals for administrative action, to the general assembly and the director of the department of agriculture.
10. The provisions of this section shall expire on June 30, 2015.
•
