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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill creates the Task Force on Food Security.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ defines terms;
13 ▸ creates the Task Force on Food Security (the task force) to develop a plan for
14 establishing food security in the state;
15 ▸ establishes membership, quorum, meeting, and reporting requirements for the task
16 force; and
17 ▸ schedules the repeal of the task force.
18 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 63I-2-235, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 354
25 ENACTS:
26 35A-1-104.6, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 35A-1-104.6 is enacted to read:
30 35A-1-104.6. Task force on food security.
31 (1) As used in this section:
32 (a) "Food security" means access to sufficient, affordable, safe, and nutritious food that
33 meets an individual's food preferences and dietary needs.
34 (b) "Task force" means the Task Force on Food Security created in this section.
35 (2) There is created within the department the "Task Force on Food Security,"
36 consisting of the following members:
37 (a) the executive director, or the executive director's designee, from each of the
38 following:
39 (i) the Department of Health;
40 (ii) the Department of Human Services;
41 (iii) the Department of Workforce Services; and
42 (iv) the Governor's Office of Economic Development;
43 (b) the chair of the State Board of Education or the chair's designee;
44 (c) the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food or the commissioner's
45 designee;
46 (d) one individual appointed by the executive director of the Utah Association of
47 Counties to represent county government;
48 (e) one individual appointed by the executive director of the Utah League of Cities and
49 Towns to represent municipal government;
50 (f) the chair of the State Board of Higher Education or the chair's designee; and
51 (g) seven individuals, appointed by the governor, including:
52 (i) one individual who works with a refugee or an immigrant community;
53 (ii) one individual with expertise on issues related to food security in rural Utah;
54 (iii) one individual who works with individuals experiencing a lack of food security;
55 (iv) one individual from the business community;
56 (v) one individual from a food assistance organization;
57 (vi) one individual from an advocacy group that addresses hunger issues; and
58 (vii) one individual from the agriculture community.
59 (3) The task force shall select two members to serve as cochairs.
60 (4) (a) If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the task force appointed under
61 Subsection (2)(d), (e), or (g), the member shall be replaced in the same manner in which the
62 original appointment was made.
63 (b) A member of the task force serves until the member's successor is appointed and
64 qualified.
65 (5) (a) A majority of the task force members constitutes a quorum.
66 (b) The action of a majority of a quorum constitutes an action of the task force.
67 (6) A task force member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's
68 service on the task force but may receive per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses
69 incurred as a member of the task force at the rates established by the Division of Finance
70 under:
71 (a) Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107; and
72 (b) rules made in accordance with Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
73 (7) The department shall provide staff support to the task force.
74 (8) (a) The task force shall develop an evidence-based plan for establishing food
75 security in this state.
76 (b) The plan shall include recommendations for:
77 (i) increasing economic security for all individuals in the state;
78 (ii) increasing public awareness and understanding that ending hunger is vital to the
79 health and well-being of the state's residents, economy, and communities;
80 (iii) increasing access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food within
81 the community where an individual lives;
82 (iv) increasing the number of individuals who can access nutritious food assistance
83 through community-based organizations;
84 (v) maximizing enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to
85 improve food access and nutrition education;
86 (vi) improving children's health by optimizing participation in federal child nutrition
87 programs; and
88 (vii) removing barriers for senior citizens to access food security.
89 (9) (a) The task force shall meet three times.
90 (b) The three meetings shall occur before October 1, 2021.
91 (10) On or before October 1, 2021, the task force shall submit electronically the plan
92 for increasing food security in this state to:
93 (a) the Executive Appropriations Committee;
94 (b) the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee;
95 (c) the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee;
96 (d) the Health and Human Services Interim Committee; and
97 (e) the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee.
98 Section 2. Section 63I-2-235 is amended to read:
99 63I-2-235. Repeal dates -- Title 35A.
100 [
101 Section 35A-1-104.6 is repealed June 30, 2022.