Bill > S52

This bill updates the membership and compensation provisions for the Massachusetts Food Policy Council (MFPC). The bill expands the council's membership to 20 members, including representatives from various state government agencies (such as agricultural resources, public health, education, environmental protection, and transitional assistance), legislators from both the majority and minority parties, an expert in healthy soils practices, the director of the UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, and seven additional members appointed by the governor who represent diverse areas like farming, food distribution, direct-to-consumer marketing, local health departments, food safety, food processing, and community nutrition efforts. Additionally, the bill establishes guidelines for compensating advisory committee members, allowing them to receive payment at a rate set by the council and approved by the department of agricultural resources' chief financial officer, subject to state ethics laws and documentation requirements. Compensation requests must be submitted within 30 days of being incurred, or they may become ineligible for payment. These changes aim to broaden the council's expertise and provide clearer guidelines for member participation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S52