Public Act 102-0973
 
HB5201 EnrolledLRB102 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.