2024 -- S 2537 | |
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LC005244 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- ORGANIC FARMING AND | |
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM | |
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Introduced By: Senators Paolino, de la Cruz, Rogers, and DeLuca | |
Date Introduced: March 01, 2024 | |
Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 2 of the General Laws entitled "AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY" |
2 | is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 28 |
4 | ORGANIC FARMING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM |
5 | 2-28-1. Short title. |
6 | This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Organic Farming and Certification |
7 | Program." |
8 | 2-28-2. Organic farming and certification program. |
9 | (a) The department of environmental management shall establish an organic farming and |
10 | certification program and shall establish rules and regulations for this purpose. The organic farming |
11 | and certification program shall: |
12 | (1) Assist in the marketing of Rhode Island grown organic agricultural products for the |
13 | purpose of sale and promotion within the State of Rhode Island or United States; |
14 | (2) Enhance the economic competitiveness of Rhode Island grown organic agricultural |
15 | products; |
16 | (3) Provide financial and technical assistance support to organic farmers for the activities |
17 | and programs which enhance the economic viability of local organic agriculture, and support the |
18 | development of a locally based, safe and sustainable organic food system; |
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1 | (4) Provide individual farm grants to small or beginning Rhode Island organic farmers that |
2 | support the entry or sustainability within the industry; |
3 | (5) Work with the state department of health for the certification of organic farmers and |
4 | organizations and to further develop and support food safety related programs and standards |
5 | pertaining to local organic agriculture; |
6 | (6) Ensure that any funding received from the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant is |
7 | allocated to this program; and |
8 | (7) Perform other activities necessary to facilitate the success and viability of the state’s |
9 | organic agricultural sector. |
10 | 2-28-3. Program funding. |
11 | There shall hereby be annually appropriated, out of money in the treasury not otherwise |
12 | appropriated, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for the purposes of |
13 | administering the provisions of this chapter. |
14 | 2-28-4. Program staffing -- Full-time employee. |
15 | In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the department of environmental management |
16 | shall designate one full-time employee who shall be assigned exclusively to the organic farming |
17 | and certification program. |
18 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- ORGANIC FARMING AND | |
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM | |
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1 | This act would establish the organic farming and certification program to be administered |
2 | by the department of environmental management. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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