2013 -- S 0809

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LC02136

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MADE IN RHODE ISLAND

MANUFACTURING COLLABORATIVE OF 2013

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 64.15

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MADE IN RHODE ISLAND MANUFACTURING COLLABORATIVE OF 2013

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     42-64.15-1. Short title. -- This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "Made in

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Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative of 2013."

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     42-64.15-2. Legislative findings. -- The general assembly hereby finds that there is an

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increasing trend among Americans to buy local and that there are currently insufficient resources

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and information necessary to support, encourage and foster consumer product awareness and

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purchases of locally manufactured products in the state of Rhode Island. By defining, branding

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and protecting what "Made in Rhode Island" means, the general assembly seeks to capitalize,

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protect and keep our Rhode Island manufacturing and creative sector businesses competitive in an

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increasingly global market by distinguishing and building pride in these businesses through this

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branding. Encouraging the purchase of these products will help grow these businesses, encourage

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new businesses to make products in Rhode Island and in so doing, secure and create further jobs.

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     42-64.15-3. Definitions. -- When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the

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following meanings:

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     (1) "Collaborative" means "Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative of 2013"

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established under section 42-64.15-4;

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     (2) "Creative sector" means innovative art and design based businesses that primarily

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design and manufacture a physical product, rather than a digital product or service, operating

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within the state of Rhode Island.

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     (3) "State agencies" means the state entities responsible for the implementation of Rhode

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Island's manufacturing and economic development, including, but not be limited to:

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     (i) The economic development corporation;

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     (ii) The secretary of state's office;

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     (iii) The department of administration;

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     (iv) The department of business regulation;

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     (v) The division of taxation;

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     (vi) The department of labor and training; and

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     (vii) The Rhode Island state council on the arts.

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     (4) "Locally manufactured" means products manufactured or produced within the state of

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Rhode Island.

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     (5) "Manufactured goods" means the process of taking raw materials or components and

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adding value to those materials and components in order to create a final, recognizable product

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that has been created through the use of hands, machinery, tools, appliances, and other similar

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equipment. "Manufactured goods" does not include the process of completing a final assembly

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from subassemblies made elsewhere, or the act of packaging a product. The program and the

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standards shall not apply to those agricultural or seafood products subject to the Seafood

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Marketing Collaborative or the Rhode Island "Get Fresh Buy Local" program.

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     42-64.15-4. Collaborative established. -- (a) There is hereby created a collaborative

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known as "Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative" consisting of nine (9) members

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as follows:

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     (1) The director of the economic development corporation, or his or her designee, that

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shall serve as chair;

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     (2) The secretary of state, or his or her designee;

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     (3) The director of the department of administration, or his or her designee;

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     (4) The director of the department of business regulation, or his or her designee;

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     (5) The director of the department of revenue, or his or her designee;

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     (6) The dean of the Rhode Island College school of management, or his or her designee;

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     (7) The director of the department of labor and training, or his or designee;

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     (8) The executive director of the Rhode Island state council on the arts, or his or her

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designee; and

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     (9) A representative of a higher education institution with expertise in art and design,

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appointed by the governor.

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     (b) The gubernatorial appointment shall serve a term of three (3) years, and shall be

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eligible to succeed him or herself. A vacancy other than by expiration shall be filled in the

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manner of the original appointment, but only for the unexpired portion of the term.

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     (c) The collaborative shall receive staff and administrative support from the economic

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development corporation. The executive director of the economic development corporation shall

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furnish the collaborative with a suitable location to hold its meetings.

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     (d) Forthwith upon the passage of this chapter, the members of the collaborative shall

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meet at the call of the chairperson and organize. Thereafter, the collaborative shall meet quarterly

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and at the call of the chairperson, or three (3) members of the collaborative.

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     (e) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

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documentation, and otherwise to the collaborative and its agents as is deemed necessary or

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desirable by the collaborative to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

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     (f) The members of the collaborative shall receive no compensation for their services.

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     42-64.15-5. Powers and duties. -- The collaborative shall support and work collectively

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with the Rhode Island manufacturing and creative community to promote the marketing and

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sustainability of Rhode Island products, including, but not limited to:

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     (1) Designate, in collaboration with the advisory council established in section 42-64.15-

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6, a "Made in Rhode Island" logo by a  Rhode Island graphic designer as the official state

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emblem to identify products that are locally manufactured;

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     (2) Recommend eligibility requirements that will permit businesses the use of the "Made

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In Rhode Island" logo on their products and represent that a product is made in this state;

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     (3) Identify regulatory restrictions preventing and/or inhibiting marketing initiatives for

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locally manufactured products;

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     (4) Examine the practices from other states that have implemented a state sponsored

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"Made In" program; such review may include a regulatory oversight process to ensure

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authenticity and adherence to quality standards for participating entities, companies and

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businesses;

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     (5) Make recommendations for implementing a state sponsored "Made In Rhode Island"

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program;

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     (6) Identify and facilitate opportunities to increase consumer demand for locally

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produced manufactured goods or services;

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     (7) Identify and facilitate opportunities to establish agreements with local manufacturers

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for potential marketplace expansion of products;

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     (8) Review and identify existing studies, pilot programs, initiatives and incentives of this

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state and other states regarding locally produced marketing practices;

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     (9) Identify and recommend incentives to benefit and encourage the manufacturing and

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sale of locally manufactured products that qualify as "Made in Rhode Island";

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     (10) Provide educational opportunities for consumers regarding local manufacturing of

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products and initiatives to further promote the brand;

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     (11) Identify funding sources available to the manufacturing community to support

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marketing, branding and promotion of locally manufactured products;

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     (12) Respond to requests for information from the legislature and comment on proposed

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legislation as it relates to local manufacturing branding efforts; and

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     (13) Identify potential funding streams through state, federal, in-kind and private

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organizations to support future "Made in Rhode Island" manufacturing and marketing efforts and

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initiatives.

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     42-64.15-6. Advisory council established. -- (a) There is hereby established an advisory

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council to the Rhode Island "Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative" which shall

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consist of nine (9) members appointed by the executive director of the economic development

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corporation as follows:

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     (1) A manufacturer of locally manufactured materials (including, but not limited to,

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lumber, granite, gravel, asphalt);

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     (2) A Rhode Island business owner that specializes in manufacturing services and

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supports;

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     (3) A representative of a Rhode Island based company that advocates for and provides

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affordable commercial space for small businesses;

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     (4) A representative from an independent Rhode Island organization or association

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representing the interests of commerce or economic development within the manufacturing

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industry;

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     (5) A Rhode Island based retailer of local manufactured products representing a

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independent or franchised store;

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     (6) A representative from a Rhode Island based nonprofit organization that trains,

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incubates and furthers industrial arts in the state;

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     (7) A representative of the Rhode Island "Buy Local" effort;

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     (8) One representative from an independent Rhode Island organization or association

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representing the manufacturing industry;

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     (9) A representative from a Rhode Island charitable foundation.

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     (b) Advisory council members shall serve three (3) year terms and are eligible to succeed

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themselves. In the event a member is unable to complete his or her term, the director of the

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economic development corporation shall appoint a successor, and the successor appointed to the

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vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. The members of the board shall

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receive no compensation.

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     (c) The advisory council shall elect annually a chairperson from among its members.

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     (d) The advisory council shall receive staff and administrative support from the economic

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development corporation. The executive director of the economic development corporation shall

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furnish the advisory board a suitable location to hold its meetings.

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     (e) The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly and at the call of the chairperson or

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three (3) council members. The chairperson of the made in Rhode Island manufacturing

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collaborative, or a designee from among the members of the collaborative, shall be present for all

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advisory council meetings.

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     (f) The advisory council shall advise the collaborative on all matters pertaining to the

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collaborative duties and powers.

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     42-64.15-7. Meeting and reporting requirements. -- The collaborative shall provide a

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report of its findings and recommendations addressing the research, marketing, expansion and

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funding opportunities for "Made in Rhode Island" branding of locally manufactured products to

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the governor and general assembly by April 30, 2014. Thereafter, the collaborative shall report to

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the governor and the general assembly, no later than April 30th of each year, on findings,

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recommendations and the progress made in achieving the goals and objectives set forth in this

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chapter and any other pertinent or requested information.

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     42-64.15-8. Rules and regulations. -- (a) The Rhode Island economic development

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corporation may promulgate rules and regulations to fulfill the purposes of this chapter in

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accordance with chapter 42-35, "The Administrative Procedures Act."

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     (b) The collaborative and advisory council shall be subject to the provisions of chapter

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38-2, "The Access to Public Records Act," and chapter 42-46, "The Open Meetings Act."

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02136

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MADE IN RHODE ISLAND

MANUFACTURING COLLABORATIVE OF 2013

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     This act would create "Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative of 2013"

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which would work with the Rhode Island manufacturing and creative community to promote the

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marketing of Rhode Island products and provide the governor and general assembly with annual

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reports regarding the branding and marketing of locally manufactured products.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02136

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