1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; creating a commission on local foods; requiring a report.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. MINNESOTA COMMISSION ON LOCAL FOODS.
 1.5 		Subdivision 1.Commission. (a) The commissioner of agriculture must convene 
1.6 	a statewide commission on local foods to advise the governor and legislature regarding 
1.7 	creating and sustaining local and regional food systems that support small and 
1.8 	medium-sized farms, sustainable farming practices, and local food-related enterprises. 
1.9 	The commission must develop and present a final report as provided under subdivision 3.
1.10 	(b) The agricultural development and financial assistance division of the Department 
1.11 	of Agriculture shall provide staff support to the commission. The commission may accept 
1.12 	outside resources to support its efforts.
1.13 	(c) Commission members must be compensated as provided in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.14 	section 15.059, subdivision 3.
1.15 	(d) The University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships is 
1.16 	requested to provide facilitation services to the commission including agenda and meeting 
1.17 	design; development and distribution of meeting notes; authorship and review of any 
1.18 	public reports or findings; communications with commission members; and fund-raising 
1.19 	to support the commission.
1.20 		Subd. 2.Membership. (a) The speaker of the house and the Subcommittee on 
1.21 	Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the senate shall jointly 
1.22 	appoint members of the commission as follows:
1.23 	(1) up to two representatives of the University of Minnesota;
2.1 	(2) two representatives of the Department of Agriculture with expertise in local 
2.2 	foods marketing, specialty crops, and agricultural diversification;
2.3 	(3) one representative of the Department of Health;
2.4 	(4) two representatives of the local food or sustainable agriculture community;
2.5 	(5) two representatives of statewide farm organizations;
2.6 	(6) three representatives of the food industry, including one at-large representative, 
2.7 	one representative of food distribution, and one representative of food service or food 
2.8 	retailers;
2.9 	(7) one representative from the nutrition community;
2.10 	(8) one representative who is an enrolled tribal member from a reservation 
2.11 	community located within the state;
2.12 	(9) one farmer using sustainable farming practices on a small or medium-sized farm;
2.13 	(10) one representative of a food and farm policy nonprofit organization;
2.14 	(11) one representative of an organization representing the interests of agricultural 
2.15 	workers;
2.16 	(12) two legislative members, one from each body;
2.17 	(13) two representatives of local policy-making bodies; one from the Twin Cities 
2.18 	metropolitan area and one from rural Minnesota;
2.19 	(14) one representative of the health care industry;
2.20 	(15) one representative of the philanthropic community; and
2.21 	(16) one at-large member.
2.22 	(b) The commission may appoint additional members and develop subgroups 
2.23 	as needed to fulfill its objectives.
2.24 		Subd. 3.Report. By March 1, 2010, the commission shall develop and present to 
2.25 	the legislature and the governor an analysis and recommendations for local and regional 
2.26 	food systems in this state. The commission shall present its findings to the house of 
2.27 	representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture policy.
2.28 		Subd. 4.Expiration. The commission expires June 30, 2010.

2.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.