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| Public Act 100-1039 | ||||
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AN ACT concerning agriculture.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Farmer | ||||
Equity Act. | ||||
Section 5. Legislative Findings. This State recognizes the | ||||
importance of investing in the long-term prosperity of our food | ||||
and farming system, beginning with farmers. It is the intent of | ||||
the General Assembly that the Director of Agriculture should | ||||
support socially disadvantaged farmers and include this | ||||
support in the Department's vision and its relevant policies. | ||||
Section 10. Definitions.
In this Act: | ||||
"Department" means the Department of Agriculture. | ||||
"Director" means the Director of Agriculture. | ||||
"Socially disadvantaged farmers" means a farmer who is a | ||||
member of a socially disadvantaged group. | ||||
"Socially disadvantaged group" means a group whose members | ||||
have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice | ||||
because of their identity as members of a group without regard | ||||
to that member's personal qualities. "Socially disadvantaged | ||||
group" includes, but is not limited to, African Americans, | ||||
Native Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, | ||||
and Pacific Islanders. | ||
"Urbanized area" means a geographic location with a | ||
population of at least 50,000 people. | ||
Section 15. Inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers. | ||
(a) The Department shall ensure the inclusion of socially | ||
disadvantaged farmers, including socially disadvantaged | ||
farmers in urbanized areas, in the development, adoption, | ||
implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, | ||
regulations, policies, and programs. | ||
(b) The Department shall: | ||
(1) consult with the Director of the Environmental | ||
Protection Agency, the Director of Natural Resources, the | ||
Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development | ||
Authority, the Secretary of Human Services, and other | ||
interested parties of the public and private sector of the | ||
State on opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers | ||
to coordinate State programs; | ||
(2) disseminate information regarding opportunities | ||
provided by, including, but not limited to, the United | ||
States Department of Agriculture, the United States | ||
Environmental Protection Agency, the General Accounting | ||
Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and other | ||
federal agencies that that have programs that may assist | ||
socially disadvantaged farmers; and | ||
(3) evaluate opportunities for the inclusion of | ||
socially disadvantaged farmers in boards, committees, | ||
commissions, and other similar positions created by the | ||
Department. | ||
Section 20. Report. On or before January 1, 2020, the | ||
Department shall submit a report to the Governor and the | ||
General Assembly on efforts to serve socially disadvantaged | ||
farmers and female farmers in this State. The report shall | ||
include recommendations to the Governor and the General | ||
Assembly on how to improve processes to include socially | ||
disadvantaged farmers. The report to the General Assembly shall | ||
be filed electronically with the General Assembly as provided | ||
under Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act and | ||
shall be provided electronically to any member of the General | ||
Assembly upon request.
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Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
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