‘Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry To Review Initiatives and Research Opportunities To Support Small Food Processors in the State’
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following:
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. Review initiatives and research opportunities to support small food processors. Resolved: That the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, referred to in this resolve as "the department," shall conduct a review of initiatives that provide assistance to small food processors in this State, including but not limited to programs and initiatives within the department, in other state agencies and public institutions, through nonprofit organizations and in the private sector. The department shall research federal grant opportunities that may be available to provide assistance to small food processors in this State. The department, based on the information collected, shall develop findings and recommendations to further assist small food processors and increase the vitality of the agricultural economy in all areas of this State; and be it further
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the department shall present a written report of findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters by January 9, 2015. Following receipt of the report, the joint standing committee may submit a bill relating to the subject matter of the report to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature; and be it further
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF
Division of Agricultural Resource Development 0833
Initiative: Provides funding for the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to contract with a firm or university to conduct a survey of small food processors in order to develop and recommend a plan to assist small food processors and strengthen the agricultural economy.
| GENERAL FUND | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|
All Other
|
$0 | $30,000 |
 |
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $30,000 |
SUMMARY
This amendment, which is the minority report, strikes and replaces the resolve and changes the title. The amendment directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to review current initiatives that provide assistance to small food processors in the State, to research potential opportunities that may provide assistance to small food processors and to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters with findings and recommendations no later than January 9, 2015. The joint standing committee may submit a bill relating to the subject matter of the report to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature. The amendment provides an appropriations and allocations section.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)