HB3710eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3710 Engrossed LRB103 27320 CPF 53691 b

AN ACT concerning health.

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 Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Alternative proteins" means proteins created from plant-based, fermented, cell-cultured inputs and processes to create foods that share sensory characteristics with conventional meat and dairy.

"Cultivated meat" means meat that is produced in a bioreactor from animal cells using a cell cultivation process.

"Fermented protein" means a protein that is made from traditional fermentation, biomass fermentation, or precision fermentation.

"Plant-based protein" means a protein that is produced directly from a plant.

Section 10. Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force. The Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force is established for the purposes of investigating and studying alternative proteins and developing a master plan of recommendations for fostering the appropriate expansion of protein innovation and the alternative protein industry in the State. The Task Force shall study how the State can best support the growing alternative protein industry in the State. The Task Force shall: (i) examine the potential economic development benefits and job creation potential of the plant-based protein, cultivated meat, and fermented protein industries in the State; (ii) identify the environmental benefits of alternative proteins; (iii) examine how alternative proteins can strengthen the State's food resilience; (iv) assess how alternative proteins can improve individual health, public health, and food security in the State; and (v) identify ways the State can foster the growth of the emerging alternative protein industry, including by reviewing past efforts made to support the broader biotech and life science industries.

Section 15. Membership; appointments; meeting.

(a) The Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) one member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate and shall serve as co-chair of the Task Force;

(2) one member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(3) one member of the House of Representatives, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and shall serve as co-chair of the Task Force;

(4) one member of the House of Representatives, who shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) the Secretary of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or the Secretary's designee;

(6) the Director of Agriculture or the Director's designee;

(7) 2 members who are appointed by the Director of Agriculture and are commercial producers of agricultural commodities; and

(8) 7 members who are appointed by the Governor. Of the members appointed by the Governor, 2 members shall be engaged in academic or scientific research on alternative protein development at a State college or university; one member shall be engaged in the private sector research and development of alternative proteins; one member shall be an academic expert in food security issues of the State; one member shall be a representative of a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and accessibility of alternative proteins; one member shall be a representative of the State's agricultural biotechnology industry; and one member shall be the president of the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization or the organization's designee.

(b) Members of the Task Force shall not receive compensation for their services to the Task Force.

(c) All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this Act.

(d) The co-chairs of the Task Force shall schedule no fewer than 4 meetings of the Task Force, including not less than one public hearing. The co-chairs shall convene the first meeting of the Task Force within 60 days after the effective date of this Act.

Section 20. Report.

(a) The Task Force shall study and analyze the potential benefits of alternative proteins and shall address in its report:

(1) the job growth potential of the alternative protein industry in the State as demand for protein continues to grow;

(2) how plant-based protein, fermented proteins, and cultivated meat can yield environmental benefits;

(3) how the State can support new and emerging companies in this sector and what pressing challenges the industry currently faces;

(4) policy options the State can consider taking to address the needs of the alternative protein industry;

(5) actions that can be taken to facilitate the growth of the alternative protein industry; and

(6) any other topic that the Task Force may choose to examine in relation to alternative proteins.

(b) The Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, together with drafts of proposed legislation necessary to carry out those recommendations, not later than December 31, 2023.

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