Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 121 Third Substitute (2017GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Handy, S.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/22/2017

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• creates the Local Food Advisory Council;
• designates the duties of the council; and
• requires the council to periodically report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Food.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

LOCAL FOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy
Senate Sponsor: 
Gene Davis
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates the Local Food Advisory Council.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ creates the Local Food Advisory Council;
▸ designates the duties of the council; and
▸ requires the council to periodically report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and
Environment Interim Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates:
▸ to the Senate, as an ongoing appropriation:
• from the General Fund, $2,000 to pay for the council; and
▸ to the House of Representatives, as an ongoing appropriation:
• from the General Fund, $4,000 to pay for the council.
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a repeal date.
Uncodified Material Affected:
ENACTS UNCODIFIED MATERIAL
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. 
Local Food Advisory Council Created.
(1) There is created the Local Food Advisory Council consisting of up to the following
members:
(a) one member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate;
(b) two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the
House of Representatives, each from a different political party;
(c) the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food, or the
commissioner's designee;
(d) the executive director of the Department of Health, or the executive director's
designee;
(e) two crop direct-to-consumer food producers, appointed by the governor;
(f) two animal direct-to-consumer food producers, appointed by the governor; and
(g) the following potential members, appointed by the governor as needed:
(i) a direct-to-consumer food producer;
(ii) a member of a local agriculture organization;
(iii) a food retailer;
(iv) a licensed dietician;
(v) a county health department representative;
(vi) an urban farming representative;
(vii) a representative of a business engaged in the processing, packaging, or
distribution of food;
(viii) an anti-hunger advocate; and
(ix) an academic with expertise in agriculture.
(2) (a) The president of the Senate shall designate a member of the Senate appointed
under Subsection (1)(a) as a cochair of the commission.
(b) The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate a member of the House
of Representatives appointed under Subsection (1)(b) as a cochair of the commission.
(3) In appointing members to the council under Subsections (1)(e) through (g), the
governor shall strive to take into account the geographical makeup of the council.
(4) A vacancy on the council resulting from the council shall be filled in the same
manner in which the original appointment was made.
(5) Compensation for a member of the council who is a legislator shall be paid in
accordance with Section 
36-2-2
 and Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Chapter 3, Legislator
Compensation.
(6) Council members who are employees of the state shall receive no additional
compensation.
(7) The Department of Agriculture and Food shall provide staff support for the council.
Section 2. 
Duties.
(1) The council shall study and make recommendations on:
(a) how to best promote vibrant, locally owned farms;
(b) how to best promote resilient ecosystems;
(c) how to best promote strong communities and healthy eating;
(d) how to best enhance thriving local food economies;
 (e) how best to assess impacts of population growth and urbanization and the decline in
productive ranch and farmland;
(f) assessment of laws and regulations that deter or hinder the direct sales of locally
grown and produced food; and
(g) necessary steps to develop and implement a robust, integrated local food system.
(2) It is the purpose of the Local Food Advisory Council to contribute to:
(a) building a local food economy;
(b) benefitting the state by creating jobs;
(c) stimulating statewide economic development;
(d) circulating money from local food sales within local communities;
(e) preserving open space;
(f) fostering the viability of family-owned farms;
(g) preserving and protecting the natural environment;
(h) increasing consumer access to fresh and nutritious food; and
(i) providing greater food security for state residents.
Section 3. 
Duties -- Interim report.
(1) The council shall:
(a) convene at least four times each year; and
(b) review and make recommendations regarding the policy issues listed in Section 2.
(2) The council shall prepare an annual report and present the report before November
30, 2017, and every November thereafter to:
 (a) the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee;
 (b) the Department of Agriculture and Food; and
 (c) the Food Advisory Board.
Section 4. 
Appropriation.
 The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
2017, and ending June 30, 2018. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
fiscal year 2018. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures
Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts
indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah. 
ITEM 1
To Legislature - Senate
From General Fund, ongoing
$2,000
Schedule of Programs:
Administration $2,000
ITEM 2
To Legislature - House of Representatives
From General Fund, ongoing
$4,000
Schedule of Programs:
Administration $4,000
Section 5. 
Repeal date.
Uncodified Sections 1, 2, and 3, which create the Local Food Advisory Council, are
repealed on November 30, 2022.