7 §216. Maine Food Policy Council
Title 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
Part 1: ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY HEADING: PL 1983, C. 608, §2 (NEW); 2005, C. 614, §3 (RPR)
Subchapter 2: FOOD POLICY HEADING: PL 2005, C. 614, §4 (NEW)
§216. Maine Food Policy Council
The Maine Food Policy Council established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 1-B is referred to in this subchapter as "the council." Membership and duties of the council are as provided in this section. [2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]
1. Members. The council consists of 11 members appointed as follows:
A. One representative of each of the following state agencies appointed by the commissioner or director of the agency:
(1) The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources;
(2) The Department of Marine Resources;
(3) The Department of Health and Human Services; and
(4) The Executive Department, State Planning Office; [2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]
B. Three members representing consumers, including at least one representing an organization that provides food assistance and one receiving food assistance, appointed by the Governor; [2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]
C. Three members representing the food industry, including producers, distributors, processors or retailers, appointed by the Governor; and [2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]
D. One representative of the University of Maine System who is from the Cooperative Extension or the University of Maine, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition or who is a director of dining services within the University of Maine System, appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Maine System. [2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
2. Terms. Each member of the council serves for a term of 3 years or until the member's successor is appointed. If a member is unable to complete the term, the appointing authority shall appoint a person to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term. Except for members appointed under subsection 1, paragraph A, a member may not serve for more than 2 consecutive terms.
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
3. Chair. The council shall annually elect a chair and vice-chair from its membership.
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
4. Meetings and attendance. The council may meet up to 4 times a year. If a member of the council is absent from more than one meeting without notice to the chairs, the original appointing authority may appoint a replacement.
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
5. Quorum; actions. A quorum is a majority of the members of the council. An affirmative vote of the majority of the members present at a meeting is required for any action.
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
6. Duties. The council shall develop:
A. A food policy for the State that recognizes that it is in the best interest of the State to ensure the availability of an adequate supply of safe, wholesome and nutritious food to its citizens; and [2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]
B. A strategic plan for implementation of the state food policy under paragraph A. The strategic plan must include benchmarks and criteria for measuring progress in achieving food policy objectives. The council shall assess and revise the strategic plan every 5 years. To support implementation of the strategic plan, the council shall:
(1) Advise the Governor, Legislature, state agencies and the public on programs to increase food self-sufficiency for the State and enhance the vitality of agriculture in the State;
(2) Conduct research and analyze issues of state significance relating to food production, distribution and consumption;
(3) Solicit public input through public hearings and informational meetings;
(4) Review state programs, practices and regulatory systems affecting the food supply system and make recommendations to resolve conflicts, remove burdensome requirements, improve the efficiency, safety and productivity of the State's food system and increase consumer access to food;
(5) Coordinate and develop collaborative relationships between private and public entities involved in food production and delivery and with the advisory committee established under section 214, subsection 3; and
(6) Coordinate the efforts of state agencies relating to food to ensure that state programs are conducted in a manner that optimizes their effectiveness, promotes locally grown foods and ensures consistency with the state food policy developed under paragraph A. [2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
7. Formation of subcommittees. The council shall invite a broad base of individuals and representatives of advocacy and stakeholder groups to participate in the strategic planning process under subsection 6, paragraph B through the formation of subcommittees and working groups to address issues identified by the council as needing further study or particular expertise.
[ RR 2005, c. 2, §6 (COR) .]
8. Staff assistance. The department shall provide staff to the council.
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
9. Fund. A separate nonlapsing account is established within the department known as the food policy development and implementation fund. The commissioner shall administer the nonlapsing fund on behalf of the council. The council may seek and accept gifts, donations and grants from any public or private source for deposit in the fund to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
[ 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW) .]
10. Reimbursement for travel expenses. A member of the council not compensated by that member's employer or the entity that the member represents may request reimbursement from the department for necessary travel expenses incurred for attendance at authorized meetings of the council. The department shall reimburse travel expenses from the fund established under subsection 9 or from existing departmental resources upon determining that travel expenditures are a financial hardship for the requesting member. The commissioner shall develop a standard for determining what is a financial hardship for the purposes of this subsection and Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 1-B.
[ RR 2005, c. 2, §6 (COR) .]
11. Report. The council shall submit a biennial report on the activities of the council to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters by December 15th of odd-numbered years. The report must include an update on the strategic plan developed under subsection 6, paragraph B, an account of progress made in achieving the goals of the council and a description of actions necessary to implement the recommendations of the council.
[ RR 2005, c. 2, §6 (COR) .]
SECTION HISTORY
RR 2005, c. 2, §6 (COR). 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).