House Bill 784

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH "The Farmer Equity Act of 2021"; TO PRESCRIBE THE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO DEFINE TERMINOLOGY; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE TO ENSURE THE INCLUSION OF SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT, ADOPTION, IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE LAWS REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS; TO PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS AND EFFORTS TO SERVE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. This shall be known, and may be cited as "The Farmer Equity Act of 2021."

SECTION 2. The State of Mississippi recognizes the importance of investing in the long-term prosperity of our food and farming system, beginning with farmers. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce should support socially disadvantaged farmers and include this support in the department's vision and its relevant policies.

SECTION 3. As used in this act, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section, unless context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.

(b) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

(d) "Socially disadvantaged group" means a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice

because of their identity as members of a group without regard

to that member's personal qualities. The term "socially disadvantaged group" includes, but is not limited to:

(i) African Americans;

(ii) Native Indians;

(iii) Alaskan Natives;

(iv) Hispanics;

(v) Asian Americans; and

(vi) Pacific Islanders.

(e) "Urbanized area" means a geographic location with a

population of at least fifty thousand (50,000) people.

SECTION 4. (1) The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce shall ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers, including socially disadvantaged farmers in urbanized areas, in the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of food and agriculture laws regulations, policies and programs.

(2) The department shall:

(a) Consult with the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Field Office Director of the Mississippi Division of Housing and Urban Development, the Executive Director of the Department of Human Services and other interested parties of the public and private sector of the state on opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers to coordinate state programs;

(b) Disseminate information regarding opportunities

provided by, including, but not limited to, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States General Accounting Office, the United States Office of Management and Budget, and other federal agencies that have programs that may assist socially disadvantaged farmers; and

socially disadvantaged farmers on boards, committees, commissions and other similar positions created by the department.

SECTION 5. On or before January 1, 2022, the department shall submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on efforts to serve socially disadvantaged farmers and female farmers in this state. The report shall include recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on how to improve processes to include socially disadvantaged farmers. The report to the Legislature shall be filed electronically with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and

shall be provided electronically to any member of the Legislature upon request.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.