SF 1660

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:

Section 1.

new text begin [28A.21] FOOD SAFETY AND DEFENSE TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin 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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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Food Safety and Defense Task Force consists of:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (3) a representative of the United States Food and Drug Administration;
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new text begin (4) a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture;
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new text begin (5) a representative of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute;
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new text begin (6) one member from the University of Minnesota knowledgeable in food and food
safety issues; and
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new text begin (7) nine members appointed by the governor who are interested in food and food
safety, of whom:
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new text begin (i) two persons are health or food professionals;
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new text begin (ii) one person represents a statewide general farm organization;
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new text begin (iii) one person represents a local food inspection agency;
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new text begin (iv) one person represents a food-oriented consumer group;
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new text begin (v) one person represents the Minnesota Grocers Association; and
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new text begin (vi) one person represents a Minnesota-based manufacturer of microbial detection
equipment and remediation products.
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new text begin (b) Members shall serve without compensation. Members appointed by the governor
shall serve four-year terms.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Organization. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall
convene the first meeting of the task force.
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new text begin (b) The task force shall meet monthly or as determined by the chair.
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new text begin (c) The members of the task force shall annually elect a chair and other officers
as the members deem necessary.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall provide support staff, office space, and
administrative services for the task force.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force shall:
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new text begin (1) coordinate educational efforts regarding food safety;
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new text begin (2) provide advice and coordination to state agencies as requested by the agencies;
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new text begin (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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new text begin (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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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, this section
expires June 30, 2012.
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