Sec. C-1. 7 MRSA §213, sub-§§1 and 2, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 608, §2, are repealed.
Sec. C-2. 7 MRSA §214, as amended by PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. DDD, §21 and PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read:
§214. Coordination of purchases of foodstuffs from Maine concerns
1. Food purchasing coordinator. There is established in the Bureau of Purchases the position of coordinator who shall be responsible The commissioner shall designate an employee of the department to serve as a food purchasing coordinator to assist in the development of connections between state and school purchasers, Maine food producers and brokers and wholesalers of food.
2. Annual meeting. The State Purchasing Agent or his designee food purchasing coordinator shall cause to be held an annual meeting which that brings together producers, wholesalers, buyers and food service professionals to enhance opportunities for cooperation and expand the purchase of local foodstuffs by state institutions and public schools.
3. Advisory committee. The State Purchasing Agent or a designee commissioner shall establish an advisory committee to discuss possibilities and review proposals for expanding purchases of local foodstuffs. At least one representative from the following state agencies shall be invited to serve on this advisory committee: The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources; the Department of Corrections; the Department of Education; the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department of Marine Resources; and the Bureau of Child and Family Services. Representation from other state agencies, local institutions or from the private sector shall be chosen by the State Purchasing Agent who shall serve as chairman of the advisory committee. The commissioner shall invite one or more representatives from each of the following agencies to serve on the advisory committee: the Department of Education; the Department of Marine Resources; the Department of Corrections; the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Purchases; the Executive Department, State Planning Office; the Department of Health and Human Services; the University of Maine System; and the Maine Community College System.
Sec. C-3. 7 MRSA §302, as amended by PL 1991, c. 780, Pt. DDD, §21, is repealed.
Sec. C-4. 7 MRSA §471, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 58, §1 and amended by PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §7, is further amended to read:
The department, in cooperation shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee, shall adopt rules to institute and administer a program to promote the purchase of state-grown and processed food products at local farmers' markets and farmstands by nutritionally at-risk groups through programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services under Title 22, chapter 851.
Sec. C-5. Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene food policy working group. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall convene a working group to review statutory provisions and examine emerging issues relating to food policy and to assist the commissioner in developing and articulating a food policy for the State. In addition to state agencies represented on the advisory committee established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 214, the commissioner shall invite participation by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Maine Farm Bureau, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Agriculture Council of Maine, a regional or statewide coalition organized to promote the consumption of locally grown foods and farmers. The commissioner may invite persons from the private sector to participate in the working group, including representatives of grocers associations and food distributors. The commissioner shall send notices and agenda for meetings of the working group to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
Sec. C-6. Report; legislation authorized. No later than January 2, 2006, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry summarizing the discussions of the commissioner's working group on food policy convened under section 5 and presenting the commissioner's recommendations relating to food policy along with implementing legislation. The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature pertaining to food policy and the promotion of locally produced food.
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