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HF 2738

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/13/2020 04:32pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 03/27/2019

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing a headwaters community food and
water economic resiliency program; appropriating money; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [116J.544] HEADWATERS COMMUNITY FOOD AND WATER
ECONOMIC RESILIENCY PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Regenerative food web" means a decentralized, coordinated system for managing
energy regeneratively in every component of a locally adapted food economy from source
to table that is designed to be inclusive, create capacity for health and well-being, foster a
culture of caring, and recognize the fundamental interdependent relationship of people and
nature.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program; purpose. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must administer a headwaters community
food and water economic resiliency program. The purpose of the program is to facilitate
the establishment and maintenance of local and regional regenerative food webs to address
in a sustainable manner the enduring challenges of food, water, and climate. The
commissioner must develop and administer the program in consultation with the advisory
committee established under subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Methods. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must achieve the purpose in subdivision 2 through
multiple methods, including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) financial and technical assistance for urban and rural producers engaged in organic,
regenerative food systems to expand to year-round operations and promote in situ research
to collect and utilize local ecological knowledge, conduct seed and plant exchange, and
restore aquifers, leadership training, network facilitation, crops insurance, and other
operations supports;
new text end

new text begin (2) financial and technical assistance for producers transitioning to organic, regenerative
agriculture including but not limited to transition planning and the provision of a stipend
or other form of income support during the transition period;
new text end

new text begin (3) financial and technical support to establish neighborhood-based food hubs or commons
including support for existing hubs and learning centers;
new text end

new text begin (4) funding for long-term, in situ research throughout a regenerative food web to
effectively generate, track, and utilize knowledge and restore biological diversity;
new text end

new text begin (5) ecological infrastructure investments to manage energy regeneratively including
creation of locally adapted perennial landscapes for cultivated food sourcing and for
conducting long-term holistic research of microorganisms, carbon capture, plants, seeds
and foods, and community-based campaigns that engage imaginations and promote a culture
of care;
new text end

new text begin (6) financial and technical assistance to establish rights of personhood for ecosystems
that sustain life, including the right to live and thrive;
new text end

new text begin (7) facilitating enhancement of the legal rights of nature and the ecosystems that sustain
life;
new text end

new text begin (8) financial and technical assistance to support each component of a regenerative food
web specifically including food producers, preservation, and preparation, neighborhood
food hubs, reusable storage and delivery systems, emergency preparedness, and the local
and regional partnerships necessary to support regenerative food web operations;
new text end

new text begin (9) developing a financial investment fund to provide resources to educate and establish
new regenerative farmers in communities located in the headwaters communities including
individual, cooperative, and small-scale operations;
new text end

new text begin (10) providing affordable and accessible health care for every member of the food web
economy to ensure that the system is economically robust and can operate effectively; and
new text end

new text begin (11) providing a financial subsidy to make fruits and vegetables affordable for all income
levels.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Advisory committee. new text end

new text begin (a) The Headwaters Community Food and Water
Economic Resiliency Advisory Committee is established and consists of persons from urban
and rural communities who represent the following groups, as appointed by the commissioner
of employment and economic development: local regenerative and organic farmers,
neighborhood food hubs, cooperatives, culinary schools, local food restaurateurs, community
organizers, food council members, system managers, scientists, researchers, students, and
public health officials. Members may be employed in the web economy.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may remove members and fill vacancies as provided in section 15.059,
subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (b) The advisory committee must advise the commissioner regarding the establishment
and operation of the headwaters community food and water economic resiliency program,
including but not limited to program criteria, eligibility guidelines, application processes,
monitoring and accountability mechanisms, leveraging additional public and private
investments, and promoting the program statewide.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must convene the advisory committee at least two times per year
to perform the committee's duties.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must provide staffing, meeting space, and administrative services
for the advisory committee.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee is the chair of the committee.
new text end

new text begin (f) Public members of the advisory committee serve without compensation or payment
of expenses.
new text end

new text begin (g) The advisory committee does not expire.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2020 and $....... in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for purposes of the
headwaters community food and water economic resiliency program in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116J.544.
new text end