Bill Text: NJ A4797 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Artisan Bread Council in Department of Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-09-19 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee [A4797 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A4797-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ALEX SAUICKIE
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Artisan Bread Council in Department of Agriculture.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing an Artisan Bread Council in the Department of Agriculture and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established in the Department of Agriculture an Artisan Bread Council.
b. The purpose of the council shall be to identify the needs and priorities relating to the artisan bread industry in the State, and to support the efforts of local bakeries.
c. The council shall be comprised of five members. One member shall be the Secretary of Agriculture who shall serve ex officio, or the Secretary's designee. Four members shall be private citizens, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, and shall include:
(1) two artisan bakers; and
(2) two grain farmers.
d. The public members of the council shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and other miscellaneous expenses necessary to perform their duties, within the limits of funds made available to the council for its purposes.
e. Members of the council shall serve for terms of two years. Each public member shall hold office for the term of the appointment and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancies in the council membership shall be filled in the same manner as provided for the original appointment, and public members shall be eligible for reappointment to the council following the conclusion of their terms.
f. The council shall organize as soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days following the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the council.
g. The council may meet at the call of the chairperson and hold hearings at the times and in the places it deems appropriate and necessary to fulfill its charge, but no less than twice per year. The council shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes.
h. The council may seek the advice of experts, such as persons specializing in the fields of agriculture, education, law, human services, economic development, workforce development, or other related fields, as deemed appropriate by the membership of the council.
i. The Department of Agriculture shall provide staff services to the council as necessary.
j. The council shall:
(1) actively engage with farmers in the State to determine what types of assistance might facilitate the economic viability of grain production and stable farming operations, connect farmers to small-batch bread makers, and inform labor chain participants of the laws, rules, regulations, programs, policies, and initiatives that are designed to assist farmers in enhancing the interconnection of operations between producers and distributors;
(2) apply for, and accept, any grant of money from the federal government, private foundations, or other sources, which may be available for programs related to agriculture and available to the State artisan bread industry;
(3) when reasonable, provide grants to farms and small businesses to establish, expand, or improve artisan bread production;
(4) develop a written report to be annually submitted to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature. The report shall include the following information:
(a) the number, location, and total acreage of farms cultivating and distributing grains used for bread in the State;
(b) the number, location, and economic output of artisan bread shops in the State;
(c) any small business recipients of those artisan breads, such as hotels, restaurants, academic institutions, or conferences;
(d) current economic data and significant market trends related to grain farmers and artisan bread makers in the State, including changes in expenses, revenues or consumer behaviors;
(e) the existing laws, rules, regulations, programs, policies, and initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Human Services, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and any other department or agency of State government or any local organization, as appropriate, that concern the artisan bread industry, in order to make recommendations to the departments, agencies, and organizations that will enhance the coordination and effectiveness of artisan bread marketing and distribution;
(f) the annual activities of the council; and
(g) any recommendations for the adoption, revision, repeal of laws, rules, regulations, policies, standards, procedures, plans, programs, or guidelines which might promote and enhance the viability of the artisan bread industry in the State.
k. The council shall serve as an information and advisory resource for data and information on local bread products.
l. Throughout the year, the council shall provide recommendations and advice, if necessary, to the Governor, the Legislature, the Department of Agriculture, the State Agriculture Development Committee, county and municipal governments, county agriculture development boards and sub-regional agriculture retention boards, county boards of agriculture, and other appropriate policymakers and organizations on any issues related to the long-term economic status of grain farms and the artisan bread industry.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes a five member New Jersey Artisan Bread Council in the Department of Agriculture. The council's purpose is to publicize local artisan breads, enhance the connection between farmers and artisan bread makers, assess the economic landscape of the artisan bread industry, and develop recommendations to promote artisan bakeries throughout the State.
The bill assigns several responsibilities to the five-person council, including monitoring the needs of the State artisan bread industry, developing a report on economic and legal trends affecting the artisan bread industry, and identifying grant opportunities for the proliferation of artisan breads. The written report, submitted to the Governor and the Legislature, would inform farmers, artisan bread makers, and legislators of any changes which might help artisan bread makers in the State anticipate, recognize, and respond to changing market conditions, and to establish a firm economic foundation for and improve the economic viability and vitality of the artisan bread industry.
