Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 97 First Substitute (2018GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Handy, S.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/15/2018

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• codifies previously uncodified language related to the Local Food Advisory Council; and
• modifies the membership of the Local Food Advisory Council.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

LOCAL FOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy
Senate Sponsor: 
Gene Davis
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill codifies language related to the Local Food Advisory Council.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ codifies previously uncodified language related to the Local Food Advisory
Council; and
▸ modifies the membership of the Local Food Advisory Council.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
63I-2-204
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 369
ENACTS:
4-2-601
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
4-2-602
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
4-2-603
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
4-2-604
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
4-2-601
 is enacted to read:
Part 6. Local Food Advisory Council
4-2-601.
Title.
This part is known as "Local Food Advisory Council."
Section 2. Section 
4-2-602
 is enacted to read:
4-2-602.
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.
(c) The cochairs may, with the consent of a majority of the council, appoint additional
nonvoting members to the council who shall serve in a voluntary capacity.
(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 3. Section 
4-2-603
 is enacted to read:
4-2-603.
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 4. Section 
4-2-604
 is enacted to read:
4-2-604.
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
4-2-603
.
(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 5. Section 
63I-2-204
 is amended to read:
63I-2-204.
Repeal dates -- Title 4.
Title 4, Chapter 2, Part 6, Local Food Advisory Council, is repealed November 30,
2022.