| ![](/https/www.ilga.gov/images/1ptrans.gif) |
Public Act 102-0973 Public Act 0973 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
Public Act 102-0973 | HB5201 Enrolled | LRB102 24850 RJF 34098 b |
|
| AN ACT concerning State government.
| 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 | Agriculture Equity Commission Act. | Section 5. Agriculture Equity Commission.
| (a) There is hereby established the Agriculture Equity | Commission to ensure equity in the State's top job producing | industry by recognizing the loss to African American farmers | and growers and the difficulties other minorities have faced | in the agriculture industry and the effect those difficulties | have on the food system, health, and economy of vulnerable | communities.
| (b) To the extent practicable, the Commission shall | reflect representation of socially disadvantaged communities, | businesses, and farmers, and include academics, policy | experts, and legislators who are experienced in agriculture | and related matters.
| (c) The Commission shall consist of the following members:
| (1) eight members appointed one each by the Governor, | Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader | of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, | Minority Leader of the Senate, the House of |
| Representatives Agriculture Chair, the Black Caucus Joint | Chair, and the Latino Caucus Chair;
| (2) one member of the Latino Caucus;
| (3) one member of the Black Caucus;
| (4) the Director of Agriculture, or his or her | designee;
| (5) the Director of Public Health, or his or her | designee;
| (6) a representative of an agribusiness or small | farmer private enterprise, appointed by the Governor; | (7) two representatives of nonprofit community based | organizations located in a disproportionately impacted | area or food desert whose primary mission is helping | minorities in the agriculture field and increasing healthy | food access, appointed by the Governor; | (8) one representative of a nonprofit statewide | organization dedicated to policy to improve the conditions | for socially disadvantaged farmers, appointed by the | Governor; | (9) one representative of a nonprofit organization | whose primary mission is environmental justice and | increasing healthy food access for minority populations, | appointed by the Governor; | (10) six socially disadvantaged farmers or | agribusiness owners from various areas of the State, | including minority-owned businesses, women-owned |
| businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a | disability, appointed by the Governor; | (11) one person with a background and work experience | in journalism, public relations community outreach, and | agriculture, appointed by the Governor; | (12) one representative of a nonprofit organization | that trains new farmers through apprenticeship programs | and increases healthy food access, appointed by the | Governor; | (13) one attorney or legal expert in property law, | appointed by the Governor; | (14) one representative of a Fortune 500 agribusiness | or a business with a significant presence in agriculture | that is headquartered or has offices in the State of | Illinois, appointed by the Governor; | (15) one representative of an organization dedicated | to economic and business development for minorities; and | (16) one agriculture teacher or instructor, or a | person from an organization dedicated to agricultural | education for minorities and underserved communities, | appointed by the Governor. | (d) Members of the Commission shall serve without | compensation for the duration of the Commission.
| (e) In the event of a vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled | in the same manner as the original appointment or as otherwise | provided under this Section.
|
| (f) The Commission shall convene within 60 days after the | effective date of this Act. At the initial meeting of the | Commission, the Commission shall elect a chair from among its | members. The Commission shall meet on a quarterly basis, or | more often if necessary.
| (g) The Department of Agriculture shall provide | administrative and other support to the Commission.
| Section 10. Duties of the Commission. The Agriculture | Equity Commission shall have the following duties:
| (1) To study and provide recommendations concerning | equity for and participation of socially disadvantaged | farmers and growers in the agriculture sector in Illinois.
| (2) To study and provide recommendations concerning | all forms of agriculture, including, but not limited to, | corn and soy, small farms, specialty crops, livestock, | urban farming, indoor farming, cannabis, and hemp.
| (3) To provide recommendations for policies and | programs in several main areas in which the Commission can | address through workgroups, including, but not limited to, | the following: (i) access to secure land tenure; (ii) | access to capital and financial planning; (iii) access to | education and training; (iv) access to resources, | infrastructure, and business planning; and (v) market | access and diversification.
| (4) To help guide plans and policies in Illinois |
| agriculture industries, including, but not limited to, the | following: (i) increasing outreach to socially | disadvantaged farmers and growers; (ii) working with the | Department of Agriculture to analyze and propose | legislative policy solutions and on the ground projects; | and (iii) reviewing disparity studies and suggesting new | areas of study or data collection.
| (5) To develop an annual plan of education events, | meetings, and trainings for all sectors of socially | disadvantaged farmers and growers.
| Section 15. Report. The Agriculture Equity Commission | shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly | on its findings, recommendations, and other relevant matters | concerning and based upon its duties as prescribed under | Section 10.
|
Effective Date: 1/1/2023
|
|
|