Public Act 100-1039
 
HB4234 EnrolledLRB100 15721 SLF 30827 b


  
    AN ACT concerning agriculture.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Farmer 
Equity Act.
 
    Section 5. Legislative Findings. This State recognizes the 
importance of investing in the long-term prosperity of our food 
and farming system, beginning with farmers. It is the intent of 
the General Assembly that the Director of  Agriculture should 
support socially disadvantaged farmers and include this 
support in the Department's vision and its relevant policies.
 
    Section 10. Definitions.
In this Act:
    "Department" means the Department of Agriculture.
    "Director" means the Director of Agriculture.
    "Socially disadvantaged farmers" means a farmer who is a 
member of a socially disadvantaged group.
    "Socially disadvantaged group" means a group whose members 
have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice 
because of their identity as members of a group without regard 
to that member's personal qualities. "Socially disadvantaged 
group" includes, but is not limited to, African Americans, 
Native Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, 
and Pacific Islanders.
    "Urbanized area" means a geographic location with a 
population of at least 50,000 people.
 
    Section 15. Inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers.
    (a) The Department shall ensure the inclusion of socially 
disadvantaged farmers, including socially disadvantaged 
farmers in urbanized areas, in the development, adoption, 
implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, 
regulations, policies, and programs.
    (b) The Department shall:
        (1) consult with the Director of the Environmental 
    Protection Agency, the Director of Natural Resources, the 
    Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development 
    Authority, the Secretary of Human Services, and other 
    interested parties of the public and private sector of the 
    State on opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers 
    to coordinate State programs;
        (2) disseminate information regarding opportunities 
    provided by, including, but not limited to, the United 
    States Department of Agriculture, the United States 
    Environmental Protection Agency, the General Accounting 
    Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and other 
    federal agencies that that have programs that may assist 
    socially disadvantaged farmers; and
        (3) evaluate opportunities for the inclusion of 
    socially disadvantaged farmers in boards, committees, 
    commissions, and other similar positions created by the 
    Department.
 
    Section 20. Report. On or before January 1, 2020, the 
Department shall submit a report to the Governor and the 
General Assembly on efforts to serve socially disadvantaged 
farmers and female farmers in this State. The report shall 
include recommendations to the Governor and the General 
Assembly on how to improve processes to include socially 
disadvantaged farmers. The report to the General Assembly shall 
be filed electronically with the General Assembly as provided 
under Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act and 
shall be provided electronically to any member of the General 
Assembly upon request.
 
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.