GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1342*

Short Title:  Reauthorize Small Family Farm Preservation Commission. (Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Albertson; and Wellons.

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Referred to:  Rules and Operations of the Senate.

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May 18, 2000

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REAUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION ON SMALL FAMILY FARM PRESERVATION.
Whereas, the Commission on Small Family Farm Preservation has diligently been addressing issues related to the preservation of small family farms in this State; and 
Whereas, the Commission was unable to initiate its work until the 1999-2000 Interim due to the unanticipated length of the 1998 Regular Session; and
Whereas, the preservation of small family farms is of vital importance to the well-being of rural North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Commission has identified several areas of potential action to benefit the State's small family farmers that require more study for the crafting of meaningful proposals; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Commission on Small Family Farm Preservation is created in the General Assembly.  The Commission may study any issue related to the preservation of small family farms in the State.
Section 2.  The Commission on Small Family Farm Preservation shall develop a proposal for the establishment of a small farm center that will promote the economic viability of small family farms by:
(1)	Providing information to small farmers on products, production methods, and marketing strategies that may increase the farmers' profit margins, including production systems in which smaller farms potentially have the advantage over larger farms.
(2)	Providing technical assistance to small farmers in business management and on-farm problem solving.
(3)	Administering cost-share programs that assist small farmers in establishing value-added agricultural enterprises, establishing direct-marketing channels, and converting farming operations to produce higher-value products.
(4)	Administering a value-added agricultural enterprise incubator that provides resources and support for individuals and cooperatives seeking to establish enterprises that will help small farmers and farming communities capture a greater share of the dollars consumers spend on food and fiber from agricultural sources.
Section 3.(a)	The Commission on Small Family Farm Preservation shall consist of 19 members:
(1)	One member of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	One member of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3)	One member of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(4)	One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5)	One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(6)	One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(7)	One farmer, appointed by the Governor, who currently operates a well-managed small family farm in North Carolina.
(8)	One farmer, appointed by the Governor, who currently operates a well-managed small family farm in North Carolina.
(9)	The Master of the North Carolina State Grange or the Master's designee.
(10)	The President of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation or the President's designee.
(11)	The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services or the Commissioner's designee.
(12)	The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources or the Secretary's designee.
(13)	The Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary's designee.
(14)	The Dean of the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University or the Dean's designee.
(15)	The Dean of the School of Agriculture at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University or the Dean's designee.
(16)	The Dean of the School of Design at North Carolina State University or the Dean's designee.
(17)	The Dean of the School of Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or the Dean's designee.
(18)	The Director of the North Carolina Environmental Defense Fund or the Director's designee.
(19)	The Director of the Southern Environmental Law Center or the Director's designee.
Section 3.(b)	The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a member of the General Assembly who is a member of the Commission as cochair of the Commission.  A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 4.  The Commission on Small Family Farm Preservation shall file a final report to the 2001 General Assembly.  The Commission shall submit its final report by filing the report with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The final report shall contain the findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals of the Commission.
Section 5.  Members appointed to the Commission shall serve until the Commission makes its final report.  Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the same appointing officer who made the original appointments.  The Commission shall terminate upon the filing of its final report.
Section 6.  The Commission may contract for consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02.  The Commission may obtain assistance from the State's universities.  Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission.  Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives' and Senate's Supervisors of Clerks.  The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.  The Commission, while in the discharge of official duties, may exercise all the powers authorized by G.S. 120-19 through G.S. 120-19.4.
Section 7.  Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances as follows:
(1)	Commission members who are also General Assembly members, at the rate established in G.S. 120-3.1.
(2)	Commission members who are officials or employees of the State or local government agencies, at the rate established in G.S. 138-6.
(3)	All other Commission members, at the rate established in G.S. 138-5.
Section 8. The Commission on Small Family Farm Preservation shall file a final report to the 2001 General Assembly.  The Commission shall submit its final report by filing the report with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The final report shall contain the findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals of the Commission.
Section 9.  The sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) is appropriated from the General Fund for fiscal year 2000-2001 to fund the activities of the Commission on Small Family Farm Preservation.
Section 10.  This act is effective when it becomes law.