Public Act 1039 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4234 Enrolled LRB100 15721 SLF 30827 b

Public Act 100-1039

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