1     
FOOD SECURITY AMENDMENTS

2     
2022 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Luz Escamilla

5     
House Sponsor: Ryan D. Wilcox

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill addresses food security in the state.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     creates the Food Security Council at Utah State University to coordinate state
14     efforts in addressing food security; and
15          ▸     describes the membership, duties, and reporting requirements of the Food Security
16     Council.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2023:
19          ▸     to Utah State University -- Cooperative Extension, as an ongoing appropriation:
20               •     from the General Fund, $75,000.
21     Other Special Clauses:
22          None
23     Utah Code Sections Affected:
24     ENACTS:
25          53B-18-1701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26          53B-18-1702, Utah Code Annotated 1953
27          53B-18-1703, Utah Code Annotated 1953
28     

29     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

30          Section 1. Section 53B-18-1701 is enacted to read:
31     
Part 17. Food Security Council

32          53B-18-1701. Definitions.
33          As used in this part:
34          (1) "Council" means the Food Security Council created in Section 53B-18-1702.
35          (2) "Food security" means access to sufficient, affordable, safe, and nutritious food that
36     meets an individual's food preferences and dietary needs.
37          (3) "SNAP-Ed program" means the nutrition education component of the federal
38     "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" under Title 7, U.S.C. Chapter 51, Supplemental
39     Nutrition Assistance Program.
40          (4) "State superintendent" means the state superintendent of public instruction
41     appointed under Section 53E-3-301.
42          (5) "Utah food product" means a food product that is produced in the state.
43          Section 2. Section 53B-18-1702 is enacted to read:
44          53B-18-1702. Creation of Food Security Council -- Members.
45          (1) There is created at Utah State University the Food Security Council.
46          (2) The council is composed of the following 15 members:
47          (a) the executive director of the Department of Health and Human Services or the
48     executive director's designee;
49          (b) the executive director of the Department of Workforce Services or the executive
50     director's designee;
51          (c) the state superintendent or the state superintendent's designee;
52          (d) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;
53          (e) the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food or the commissioner's
54     designee; and
55          (f) the following members appointed by the chair of the council:
56          (i) one member who represents the Utah State University Extension Service;
57          (ii) one member who represents the Utah State University Expanded Food and

58     Nutrition Education Program;
59          (iii) one member who represents the Utah Women, Infants, and Children Program
60     administered under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1786;
61          (iv) one member who represents the Utah SNAP-Ed program;
62          (v) one member who represents a food assistance organization;
63          (vi) one member who represents an advocacy group that addresses federal nutrition
64     programs;
65          (vii) one member who represents an organization that promotes healthy eating and
66     active lifestyles in the state;
67          (viii) one member who represents an organization that provides refugee resettlement
68     services in the state;
69          (ix) one member who represents the Utah Farm Bureau Federation; and
70          (x) one member who represents a tribal government in the state.
71          (3) (a) A member described in Subsection (2)(d) shall serve a term of two years.
72          (b) If a vacancy occurs for a member described in Subsection (2)(d), the chair of the
73     council shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the member's term.
74          (c) A member may serve more than one term.
75          (4) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service.
76          (5) The council shall elect a chair from the council's members, who shall serve a
77     two-year term.
78          (6) (a) A majority of the members of the council constitutes a quorum of the council.
79          (b) The action by a majority of the members of a quorum constitutes the action of the
80     council.
81          (7) The Utah State University Hunger Solutions Institute shall provide staff support to
82     the council.
83          Section 3. Section 53B-18-1703 is enacted to read:
84          53B-18-1703. Duties of Food Security Council -- Reporting.
85          (1) The council shall:

86          (a) develop statewide goals and messaging related to food security and nutrition
87     education;
88          (b) coordinate statewide efforts to address food security;
89          (c) ensure that any state programs receiving federal funds from the United States
90     Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service provide consistent and coordinated
91     nutrition education messaging;
92          (d) promote programs and activities that contribute to healthy eating and active
93     lifestyles;
94          (e) promote programs and activities that advance Utah food products; and
95          (f) disseminate the statewide goals and messaging developed under Subsection (2) to
96     state agencies.
97          (2) On or before October 1 of each year, the council shall prepare and submit an annual
98     written report to the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee, the
99     Education Interim Committee, and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment
100     Interim Committee that contains:
101          (a) a description of the council's operations, activities, programs, and services; and
102          (b) any recommendations on how the state should act to address issues relating to food
103     security.
104          (3) The council may accept gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources
105     for purposes of carrying out the council's duties.
106          Section 4. Appropriation.
107          The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
108     2022, and ending June 30, 2023. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
109     fiscal year 2023. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures
110     Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts
111     indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
112     ITEM 1
113          To Utah State University -- Cooperative Extension

114               From General Fund
$75,000

115               Schedule of Programs:
116                    Cooperative Extension                    $75,000
117          The Legislature intends that the appropriation under this item be used for expenses
118     relating to the Food Security Council created in Section 53B-18-1702.