House Sponsors: WOOLARD-LAWFER-FOWLER-SMITH,MICHAEL-FRANKS, REITZ, BRUNSVOLD, CURRY,JULIE, DAVIS,STEVE, GRANBERG, HANNIG, HOFFMAN, HOLBROOK, MAUTINO, MCGUIRE, NOVAK, O'BRIEN, SCOTT AND SLONE. Short description: DEPT AG-FARMER RETRAINING PROG Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Directs the Department to contract with an association that represents Illinois farmers to establish and operate a program of retraining for current and former Illinois farmers who have left or are planning to leave the profession of farming. Repealed January 1, 2005. Effective immediately. FISCAL NOTE (Department of Agriculture) The Department will need at a minimum one program administrator and additional support head count to manage the Program. The head count and miscellaneous operating expenses is estimated at $150,000. This number could go higher depending upon the appropriation for the retraining program. The $150,000 estimat- ed cost is sufficient to manage the program if appropriated at $3,500,000. STATE MANDATES NOTE, H-AM 1 (Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) HB 2932 (H-am 1) does not meet the definition of a State mandate under the State Mandates Act. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (Department of Agriculture) H-am 1 may have a minimal fiscal impact on the Department. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 205/205-435 Adds reference to: New Act 30 ILCS 105/5.541 new Deletes everything. Creates the Farmer Fair Dealings and Disclosure Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and the Illinois Farm Development Authority to file a collective written report setting forth a long-term inter-departmental strategic plan to coordinate their existing programs designed to help family farmers with the General Assembly on or before May 1, 2001. Requires the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and the Illinois Farm Development Authority to file annual updates to the plan with the General Assembly. Requires the Attorney General to investigate and provide a written report to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2000 regarding the disparity between prices paid to producers and prices charged to consumers and the effect of those practices on the enforcement and application of certain federal antitrust and other laws. Requires the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to develop and administer a Family Farm Aid Program for the purposes of (i) accessing new agricultural markets, (ii) providing financial assistance to farmers at risk, (iii) increasing product diversity, and (iv) promoting new product development. Requires assistance to be in the form of loans from the Family Farm Aid Fund. Sets eligibility requirements for loans from the Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to add the Family Farm Aid Fund to the list of funds in the State treasury. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (Farm Development Authority) The Authority does not expect any fiscal impact from this bill. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) The fiscal impact in developing and annually updating a written report setting forth a long-term inter-departmental strategic plan to coordinate services and help family farmers, and in providing information as requested by the Attorney Gen- eral, is estimated to be $100,000 from GRF. Without knowing the amount of money to be available for assistance loans, the fiscal impact associated with the administration of the Family Farm Aid Program cannot be determined at this time. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status