Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Streamline Agricultural Regulation

Sec. 1. Review regulatory process and develop flow chart. Resolved: That the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall review the regulatory processes that affect agricultural businesses, including small food producers and processors, and examine the feasibility of developing a one-stop, streamlined regulatory process and publicly accessible website portal. The department shall develop and post on its publicly accessible website by September 15, 2009 a regulatory flow chart to guide agricultural businesses through the federal, state and local regulation process. The flow chart must clearly depict the regulatory role of federal, state and local government and include all relevant laws and agencies; and be it further

Sec. 2. Review rules for food processing, manufacturing and storage. Resolved: That the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall review and draft proposed changes to streamline its rules related to licensing small food producers, value-added food processors and shared use kitchens, including rules related to home food manufacturing, food storage warehouses and food processing and manufacturing. The department shall identify and draft rule changes that allow the sequential production of food products in shared use kitchens in order to expand the seasonal use of the facilities; and be it further

Sec. 3. Review rules, resources and processes for meat and poultry licensing and inspection. Resolved: That the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall review and draft proposed changes to its rules governing meat and poultry inspection and licensing in order to support regional cooperation that allows the interstate sales of meat and poultry, expands markets for the State's meat and poultry producers, encourages the licensing of mobile slaughter facilities and creates flexibility for small-scale meat and poultry producers. The department shall identify steps for streamlining the State’s meat and poultry inspection and licensing processes and for enhancing coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture's inspection program as well as leveraging federal resources, including resources to increase the availability of hazard analysis and critical control points training; and be it further

Sec. 4. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall present a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry by January 15, 2010 that includes findings, recommendations and proposed rule changes related to its review of rules and regulatory processes outlined in sections 1 to 3 of this resolve. The department’s report must include any draft legislation and all proposed rule changes needed to implement the department’s recommendations. The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature relating to the report.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to review regulatory processes affecting agricultural businesses and to examine the feasibility of developing a one-stop, streamlined regulatory process and publicly accessible website portal. It directs the department to develop a regulatory flow chart and post it on its publicly accessible website by September 15, 2009. The resolve also directs the department to review and draft changes to the rules related to the licensing of certain types of food production and processing and the rules governing meat and poultry inspection and licensing. It requires the department to identify steps for streamlining the State's meat and poultry inspection and licensing process and to enhance coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture's inspection program as well as leverage federal resources, including resources to increase the availability of hazard analysis and critical control points training. The resolve requires the department to present a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry by January 15, 2010 that includes findings and recommendations including any draft legislation and proposed rule changes needed to implement the recommendations. The resolve gives the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry authority to submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature related to the report.