House Bill 1170

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO STUDY AREAS OF THIS STATE THAT ARE UNDERSERVED IN THE RETAIL OF AVAILABILITY OF HEALTHY FOODS AND THE IMPACT OF THE LIMITED RETAIL AVAILABILITY OF SUCH FOODS ON PROPER NUTRITION AND ON OBESITY AND RELATED CHRONIC ILLNESSES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE; TO SET FORTH THE DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created an advisory committee to study and provide recommendations to the Legislature regarding the areas of this state that are underserved in the retail availability of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods and the impact of the limited retail availability of such foods on proper nutrition and on obesity and related chronic illnesses, including heart attacks and diabetes.

(2) The advisory committee shall consist of the following fifteen (15) members:

(a) The State Health Officer, or his designee;

(b) The Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid, or his designee;

(d) One (1) person who is a mayor of a municipality, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(e) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, or his designee;

(f) The Executive Director of the Department of Human Services, or his designee;

(g) The Chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee;

(h) The Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee;

(i) The Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee;

(j) The Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee;

(k) Two (2) other members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(l) Two (2) other members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and

(m) A registered dietitian or nutritionist, appointed by the Governor.

(3) In appointing members of the advisory committee, an appointing authority shall ensure that the members reflect the diversity of this state, with members representing:

(a) Rural areas;

(b) Urban areas; and

(4) An advisory committee member is not entitled to

reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.

(5) The advisory committee shall meet not later than sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act and shall select a chairman. The committee shall meet regularly as necessary at the call of the chairman.

(6) The advisory committee shall:

(a) Investigate the retail availability of fresh

fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods in this state;

(b) Develop recommendations for creating and a plan

for implementing a statewide financing program to bring fresh food

retailers into areas of this state that are underserved in regard to the retail availability of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods; and

availability of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods in this state.

(7) The advisory committee shall submit a report to the Legislature not later than December 1, 2011, providing information relating to:

(a) The costs, benefits, and feasibility of a statewide financing program to bring fresh food retailers into areas of this state that are underserved in regard to the retail availability of fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods; and

(b) A plan for implementing the program.

(8) To effectuate the work of the advisory committee, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any political subdivision thereof, at the request of the chair of the committee, shall provide to the committee the facilities, staff assistance and data as will enable it to properly carry out its task.

(9) The advisory committee shall be dissolved upon the presentation of its report to the Legislature.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.