1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; establishing a food safety and defense task force;
1.3 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 28A.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [28A.21] FOOD SAFETY AND DEFENSE TASK FORCE.
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The Food Safety and Defense Task Force is 
1.7 	established to advise the commissioner and the legislature on food issues and food safety.
1.8 		Subd. 2.Membership. (a) The Food Safety and Defense Task Force consists of:
1.9 	(1) the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee;
1.10 	(2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
1.11 	(3) a representative of the United States Food and Drug Administration;
1.12 	(4) a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture;
1.13 	(5) a representative of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute;
1.14 	(6) one member from the University of Minnesota knowledgeable in food and food 
1.15 	safety issues; and
1.16 	(7) nine members appointed by the governor who are interested in food and food 
1.17 	safety, of whom:
1.18 	(i) two persons are health or food professionals;
1.19 	(ii) one person represents a statewide general farm organization;
1.20 	(iii) one person represents a local food inspection agency; and
1.21 	(iv) one person represents a food-oriented consumer group.
1.22 	(b) Members shall serve without compensation. Members appointed by the governor 
1.23 	shall serve four-year terms.
2.1 		Subd. 3.Organization. (a) The task force shall meet monthly or as determined by 
2.2 	the chair.
2.3 	(b) The members of the task force shall annually elect a chair and other officers 
2.4 	as the members deem necessary.
2.5 		Subd. 4.Staff. The commissioner shall provide support staff, office space, and 
2.6 	administrative services for the task force.
2.7 		Subd. 5.Duties. The task force shall:
2.8 	(1) coordinate educational efforts regarding food safety;
2.9 	(2) provide advice and coordination to state agencies as requested by the agencies;
2.10 	(3) serve as a source of information and referral for the public, news media, and 
2.11 	others concerned with food safety; and
2.12 	(4) make recommendations to Congress, the legislature, and others about appropriate 
2.13 	action to improve food safety in the state.