102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5201

 

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Sonya M. Harper

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Agriculture Equity Commission Act. Establishes the Agriculture Equity Commission. Provides for membership of the Commission. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Provides for the filling of Commission vacancies. Provides for administrative and other support to the Commission. Provides for the duties of the Commission. Requires the Commission to annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on its findings, recommendations, and other relevant matters concerning and based upon its duties.


LRB102 24850 RJF 34098 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5201LRB102 24850 RJF 34098 b

1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Agriculture Equity Commission Act.
 
6    Section 5. Agriculture Equity Commission.
7    (a) There is hereby established the Agriculture Equity
8Commission to ensure equity in the State's top job producing
9industry by recognizing the loss to African American farmers
10and growers and the difficulties other minorities have faced
11in the agriculture industry and the effect those difficulties
12have on the food system, health, and economy of vulnerable
13communities.
14    (b) To the extent practicable, the Commission shall
15reflect representation of socially disadvantaged communities,
16businesses, and farmers, and include academics, policy
17experts, and legislators who are experienced in agriculture
18and related matters.
19    (c) The Commission shall consist of the following members:
20        (1) eight members appointed one each by the Governor,
21    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader
22    of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate,
23    Minority Leader of the Senate, the House of

 

 

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1    Representatives Agriculture Chair, the Black Caucus Joint
2    Chair, and the Latino Caucus Chair;
3        (2) one member of the Latino Caucus;
4        (3) one member of the Black Caucus;
5        (4) the Director of Agriculture, or his or her
6    designee;
7        (5) the Director of Public Health, or his or her
8    designee;
9        (6) a representative of an agribusiness or small
10    farmer private enterprise, appointed by the Governor;
11        (7) two representatives of nonprofit community based
12    organizations located in a disproportionately impacted
13    area or food desert whose primary mission is helping
14    minorities in the agriculture field and increasing healthy
15    food access, appointed by the Governor;
16        (8) one representative of a nonprofit statewide
17    organization dedicated to policy to improve the conditions
18    for socially disadvantaged farmers, appointed by the
19    Governor;
20        (9) one representative of a nonprofit organization
21    whose primary mission is environmental justice and
22    increasing healthy food access for minority populations,
23    appointed by the Governor;
24        (10) six socially disadvantaged farmers or
25    agribusiness owners from various areas of the State,
26    including minority-owned businesses, women-owned

 

 

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1    businesses, and businesses owned by persons with a
2    disability, appointed by the Governor;
3        (11) one person with a background and work experience
4    in journalism, public relations community outreach, and
5    agriculture, appointed by the Governor;
6        (12) one representative of a nonprofit organization
7    that trains new farmers through apprenticeship programs
8    and increases healthy food access, appointed by the
9    Governor;
10        (13) one attorney or legal expert in property law,
11    appointed by the Governor
12        (14) one representative of a Fortune 500 agribusiness
13    or a business with a significant presence in agriculture
14    that is headquartered or has offices in the State of
15    Illinois, appointed by the Governor;
16        (15) one representative of an organization dedicated
17    to economic and business development for minorities; and
18        (16) one agriculture teacher or instructor, or a
19    person from an organization dedicated to agricultural
20    education for minorities and underserved communities,
21    appointed by the Governor.
22    (d) Members of the Commission shall serve without
23compensation for the duration of the Commission.
24    (e) In the event of a vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled
25in the same manner as the original appointment or as otherwise
26provided under this Section.

 

 

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1    (f) The Commission shall convene within 60 days after the
2effective date of this Act. At the initial meeting of the
3Commission, the Commission shall elect a chair from among its
4members. The Commission shall meet on a quarterly basis, or
5more often if necessary.
6    (g) The Department of Agriculture shall provide
7administrative and other support to the Commission.
 
8    Section 10. Duties of the Commission. The Agriculture
9Equity Commission shall have the following duties:
10        (1) To study and provide recommendations concerning
11    equity for and participation of socially disadvantaged
12    farmers and growers in the agriculture sector in Illinois.
13        (2) To study and provide recommendations concerning
14    all forms of agriculture, including, but not limited to,
15    corn and soy, small farms, specialty crops, livestock,
16    urban farming, indoor farming, cannabis, and hemp.
17        (3) To provide recommendations for policies and
18    programs in several main areas in which the Commission can
19    address through workgroups, including, but not limited to,
20    the following: (i) access to secure land tenure; (ii)
21    access to capital and financial planning; (iii) access to
22    education and training; (iv) access to resources,
23    infrastructure, and business planning; and (v) market
24    access and diversification.
25        (4) To help guide plans and policies in Illinois

 

 

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1    agriculture industries, including, but not limited to, the
2    following: (i) increasing outreach to socially
3    disadvantaged farmers and growers; (ii) working with the
4    Department of Agriculture to analyze and propose
5    legislative policy solutions and on the ground projects;
6    and (iii) reviewing disparity studies and suggesting new
7    areas of study or data collection.
8        (5) To develop an annual plan of education events,
9    meetings, and trainings for all sectors of socially
10    disadvantaged farmers and growers.
 
11    Section 15. Report. The Agriculture Equity Commission
12shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly
13on its findings, recommendations, and other relevant matters
14concerning and based upon its duties as prescribed under
15Section 10.