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.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm