SS HCS HB 1848 -- JOINT COMMITTEE ON URBAN FARMING This bill establishes the Joint Committee on Urban Farming consisting of five members of the House of Representatives and five members of the Senate. All members of the General Assembly not appointed to the committee may be nonvoting, ex officio members of the committee. The committee is required to meet within 30 days of the bill's effective date and may meet in locations other than Jefferson City. The joint committee must submit a final report with recommendations for any legislative action deemed necessary to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Governor by December 31, 2010. The committee must study and make recommendations regarding the impact of urban farm cooperatives, vertical farming, and sustainable living communities and must examine various trends in urban farming; existing services, resources, and capacity; the impact on affected communities; and any needed legislation, policies, or regulations. The committee must hold at least one meeting at three urban regions in the state to seek public input. The joint committee is required to establish the Urban Farming Advisory Subcommittee consisting of 12 members including the directors of the departments of Agriculture, Economic Development, Health and Senior Services, and Natural Resources or their designees. The Director of the Department of Agriculture will serve as the chair and will, subject to the approval by a majority of the joint committee, select eight additional members of the subcommittee who have experience in or represent organizations associated with certain specified topics relevant to urban farming. The subcommittee must study, analyze, and provide background information, recommendations, and findings in preparation of each public hearing called by the joint committee. Staff members of Senate Research, House Research, and the Joint Committee of Legislative Research may provide services as required by the joint committee. The provisions of the bill expire January 1, 2011.Copyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives