Bill Summary for Bill Number SB10-106

Date: 04/07/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB10-106

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.006 (Attachment D). The motion Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-106, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection PASS

03:14 PM -- Senate Bill 10-106

Representative Looper, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 106 concerning the creation of a Food Systems Advisory Council. She showed a video from the Denver Post on childhood poverty available at http://photos.denverpost.com/photoprojects/specialprojects/childhoodpoverty/. She explained that the reengrossed bill creates a 13-member Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council comprised of stakeholders and representatives from state agencies. The purpose of the council is to foster a healthy food supply, expand the viability of agriculture, and improve the health of Coloradans. The council has the following duties:

• identify best practices in the food system;
• develop recommendations for local food economies;
• develop recommendations for food access;
• collaborate with local and regional food councils; and
• promote the "Colorado Proud" marketing program.

The council is required to meet at least four times a year and prepare an annual report for the General Assembly. Any costs for staffing the council and reimbursing members for travel costs is to be paid from gifts, grants, and donations or in-kind donations. The bill creates the Food Systems Advisory Council Cash Fund for this purpose. If sufficient moneys are not received, the council will not meet or prepare the annual report. The council will have a sunset review prior to being repealed on July 1, 2013. Representative Looper answered questions from the committee and distributed two handouts (Attachments C and D).

The following individuals testified on the bill:

03:28 PM -- Lonna Lindsay, Live Well Colorado, spoke in support of the bill and described the mission of her organization and discussed some of the work that they have done on childhood poverty. She distributed a letter in support of the bill from Jim Dyer (Attachment E).

03:35 PM -- Mina Liebert, Livewell Colorado Springs, spoke in support of the bill and described the mission of her organization and some of its efforts to bring healthier food options to children. She answered questions from the committee.

03:45 PM

The committee discussed some of the obstacles in obtaining local food, including the costs of USDA inspections. Representative Curry discussed the need for food processing representation on the advisory council.

03:58 PM

The committee discussed a local food initiative in Colorado Springs school district number 11.

03:59 PM -- Jim Miller, Colorado Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner, spoke in support of the bill and described his involvement in the creation of the bill. He explained how the bill is consistent with the programs and mission of the Colorado Department of Agriculture. He answered questions from the committee regarding the fiscal impact the bill would have on the department.

04:09 PM -- Margy Christinsen, Colorado Cattlweomen, spoke in support of the bill. She discussed the availability of local food in the state and the percent of income Colorado residents annually spend on food. She answered questions from the committee concerning the composition of the advisory council.

04:19 PM -- Mary Lou Chapman, Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association, answered questions from the committee regarding the availability of local products in chain grocery stores. She explained that because chain stores use the same advertisements across the state, local producers would need to be able to provide the same products to all of the stores in the state, which is difficult for local producers to do.


BILL:	SB10-106
TIME:	04:26:29 PM
MOVED:	Looper
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.006 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Baumgardner
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Curry
	Gardner C.
	Hullinghorst
	Looper
	McKinley
	Ryden
	Solano
	Sonnenberg
	Tipton
	Vigil
	Pace
	Fischer

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB10-106
TIME:	04:30:28 PM
MOVED:	Looper
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-106, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 9-1.
SECONDED:	Baumgardner
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Curry	Yes
	Gardner C.	Excused
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Looper	Yes
	McKinley	Yes
	Ryden	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Sonnenberg	No
	Tipton	Excused
	Vigil	Excused
	Pace	Yes
	Fischer	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 1 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:31 PM

The committee adjourned.