Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of Public Act 100-1039
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Public Act 100-1039


 

Public Act 1039 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  
  
  

 


 
Public Act 100-1039
 
HB4234 EnrolledLRB100 15721 SLF 30827 b

    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 Farmer
Equity Act.
 
    Section 5. Legislative Findings. This State recognizes the
importance of investing in the long-term prosperity of our food
and farming system, beginning with farmers. It is the intent of
the General Assembly that the Director of Agriculture should
support socially disadvantaged farmers and include this
support in the Department's vision and its relevant policies.
 
    Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:
    "Department" means the Department of Agriculture.
    "Director" means the Director of Agriculture.
    "Socially disadvantaged farmers" means a farmer who is a
member of a socially disadvantaged group.
    "Socially disadvantaged group" means a group whose members
have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice
because of their identity as members of a group without regard
to that member's personal qualities. "Socially disadvantaged
group" includes, but is not limited to, African Americans,
Native Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans,
and Pacific Islanders.
    "Urbanized area" means a geographic location with a
population of at least 50,000 people.
 
    Section 15. Inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers.
    (a) The Department shall ensure the inclusion of socially
disadvantaged farmers, including socially disadvantaged
farmers in urbanized areas, in the development, adoption,
implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws,
regulations, policies, and programs.
    (b) The Department shall:
        (1) consult with the Director of the Environmental
    Protection Agency, the Director of Natural Resources, the
    Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development
    Authority, the Secretary of Human Services, and other
    interested parties of the public and private sector of the
    State on opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers
    to coordinate State programs;
        (2) disseminate information regarding opportunities
    provided by, including, but not limited to, the United
    States Department of Agriculture, the United States
    Environmental Protection Agency, the General Accounting
    Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and other
    federal agencies that that have programs that may assist
    socially disadvantaged farmers; and
        (3) evaluate opportunities for the inclusion of
    socially disadvantaged farmers in boards, committees,
    commissions, and other similar positions created by the
    Department.
 
    Section 20. Report. On or before January 1, 2020, the
Department shall submit a report to the Governor and the
General Assembly on efforts to serve socially disadvantaged
farmers and female farmers in this State. The report shall
include recommendations to the Governor and the General
Assembly on how to improve processes to include socially
disadvantaged farmers. The report to the General Assembly shall
be filed electronically with the General Assembly as provided
under Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act and
shall be provided electronically to any member of the General
Assembly upon request.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.

Effective Date: 8/23/2018