2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a food safety and defense task force;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 28A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The Food Safety and Defense Task Force is
established to advise the commissioner and the legislature on food issues and food safety.
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(a) The Food Safety and Defense Task Force consists of:
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(1) the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee;
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(2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
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(3) a representative of the United States Food and Drug Administration;
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(4) a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture;
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(5) a representative of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute;
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(6) one member from the University of Minnesota knowledgeable in food and food
safety issues; and
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(7) nine members appointed by the governor who are interested in food and food
safety, of whom:
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(i) two persons are health or food professionals;
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(ii) one person represents a statewide general farm organization;
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(iii) one person represents a local food inspection agency;
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(iv) one person represents a food-oriented consumer group;
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(v) one person represents the Minnesota Grocers Association; and
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(vi) one person represents a Minnesota-based manufacturer of microbial detection
equipment and remediation products.
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(b) Members shall serve without compensation. Members appointed by the governor
shall serve four-year terms.
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(a) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall
convene the first meeting of the task force.
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(b) The task force shall meet monthly or as determined by the chair.
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(c) The members of the task force shall annually elect a chair and other officers
as the members deem necessary.
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The commissioner shall provide support staff, office space, and
administrative services for the task force.
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The task force shall:
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(1) coordinate educational efforts regarding food safety;
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(2) provide advice and coordination to state agencies as requested by the agencies;
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(3) serve as a source of information and referral for the public, news media, and
others concerned with food safety; and
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(4) make recommendations to Congress, the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over agriculture finance and policy, the legislature, and others about appropriate action to
improve food safety in the state.
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Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, this section
expires June 30, 2012.
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