HB4191 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 04026 JDS 14064 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB4191

Introduced 2/27/2009, by Rep. Ronald A. Wait

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Agricultural Assembly Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture to bi-annually convene an Agricultural Assembly to assist in identifying and prioritizing issues affecting the State's agricultural industry and in forming a set of recommendations to address those issues. Establishes goals and objectives for the Agricultural Assembly. Creates a steering committee to facilitate the Department of Agriculture's development of the Agricultural Assembly. Requires the Agricultural Assembly program developed by the Department of Agriculture to meet certain requirements. Grants the Department of Agriculture authority to adopt rules to implement the Agricultural Assembly Act. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

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 Agricultural Assembly Act.

Section 5. Agricultural Assembly. The Department of Agriculture shall bi-annually convene an Agricultural Assembly to assist in identifying and prioritizing issues affecting the State's agricultural industry and in forming a set of recommendations to address those issues.

Section 10. Goal. The goal of the Agricultural Assembly shall be to provide an advisory set of recommendations for the government and all stakeholders, including farm and commodity associations, agribusinesses, educators, universities and community colleges, conservationists, and individual farmers, on the best way to expand, enhance, streamline, or curtail programs, activities, and policies affecting the State's agricultural industry.

Section 15. Objectives. The objectives of the Agricultural Assembly shall include:

(a) Gathering grassroots input on issues important to those involved in agriculture by soliciting the participation of farm and commodity associations, agribusinesses, educators, universities and community colleges, conservationists, and individual farmers.

(b) Providing forums throughout the State for identifying and articulating these issues.

(c) Developing a uniform message regarding what is needed to keep agriculture profitable while conserving our natural resources.

(d) Recommending courses of action that may be utilized by the Department of Agriculture and other organizations.

(e) Offering an opportunity to hear opinions from diverse sectors and distilling concerns that cut across sectors.

(f) Bringing focus to local agricultural issues in a regional context.

(g) Drawing public attention regionally to agriculture-related concerns.

(h) Creating an opportunity to educate those outside of agriculture.

Section 20. Steering committee. The Department of Agriculture shall establish an Agricultural Assembly steering committee, which shall work with the Department of Agriculture to facilitate the development of the Agricultural Assembly and to guarantee that every individual who wants to participate in the Agricultural Assembly is able to do so. Members of the steering committee shall include:

(a) Two members appointed by associations representing farmers.

(b) One member appointed by an association representing corn growers.

(c) One member appointed by an association representing soil and water conservation interests.

(d) One member appointed by an organization representing food and agricultural researchers.

(e) One member appointed by an association representing women in agriculture.

(f) One member appointed by an association representing beef producers.

(g) One member appointed by an association representing pork producers.

(h) One member appointed by an association representing soybean producers.

(i) One member appointed by an organization representing organic farmers.

(j) The Dean of the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois, or his or her designee.

(k) The Dean of the College of Agriculture at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, or his or her designee.

(l) One member appointed by an association representing the grain and feed industry.

(m) One member appointed by an association representing the fertilizer and chemical industry.

(n) One member appointed by an association representing grape growers.

(o) One member appointed by an association representing agribusiness.

Section 25. Program requirements. The Agricultural Assembly created by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the steering committee, shall: (a) consist of (i) at least 4 regional forums and (ii) a statewide meeting at which issues identified during regional forums can be prioritized and discussed and (b) result in the creation of a final set of written recommendations for action, which shall be filed with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Governor by December 31, 2009.

Section 30. Rulemaking. The Department of Agriculture shall adopt rules to implement this Act of the 96th General Assembly.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.