Senate Sponsors: NOLAND-WALSH,L-WOOLARD-SIEBEN, MYERS AND O'DANIEL. House Sponsors: POE-KLINGLER-JONES,JOHN-REITZ-FOWLER Short description: IL AGRIFIRST PROGRAM-GRANTS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Illinois Agriculture Infrastructure Development Program Act. Provides the short title only. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 120/1.02 from Ch. 102, par. 41.02 30 ILCS 105/5.545 new 20 ILCS 205/40.43 rep. Deletes everything. Creates the Illinois Agriculture Infrastructure Development Act of 2001. Creates the Infrastructure Development Advisory Board for Agriculture in the Department of Agriculture. Provides for the appointment of members to the Board. Sets the powers and duties of the Board. Requires the Director of Agriculture to annually report to the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives Commission on the Department of Agriculture's activities during the previous calendar year. Creates an Agriculture Infrastructure Development Grant Program to promote the value-added processing of Illinois' agricultural products. Requires grant recipients to submit periodic reports to the Department of Agriculture. Contains other provisions. Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that the Infrastructure Development Advisory Board for Agriculture is subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Agriculture Infrastructure Development Fund. Repeals a provision of the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois concerning the Illinois Value-Added Agricultural Enhancement Program. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 120/1.02 Deletes everything. Creates the Illinois AgriFIRST Program Act of 2001. Creates the Illinois AgriFIRST Program in the Department of Agriculture. Sets criteria that the Department must consider in reviewing applications, awarding grants, and setting requirements on the award of grants under Illinois AgriFIRST Program. Requires the Director of Agriculture to file an annual report with the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives listing (i) all applications for Illinois AgriFIRST Grants; (ii) all persons receiving financial assistance from the Department; and (iii) the nature and amount of all financial assistance. Allows the Department to exercise certain powers with respect to the grants. Allows the Department to develop and implement a certification program that guarantees that certified Illinois agricultural products have traits and qualities that warrant a premium price or an increase in added value. Allows the Department to (i) identify international and domestic consumer preferences, (ii) identify new markets, (iii) identify preserved products, (iv) underwrite demonstrations on foreign soils, and (v) provide market analyses and trend projects to farmers and other interested persons. Designates the Department as the State agricultural planning agency. Provides that the Illinois AgriFIRST Program Fund is an appropriated special fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois AgriFIRST Program Fund. Repeals the provisions of the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois concerning the Illinois Value-Added Agricultural Enhancement Program. Effective immediately. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 92-0346 Last action date: AUG-14-2001 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 1 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status