Bill > LD2040

This bill directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to study how to assess and evaluate food insecurity measures in Maine, especially since the U.S. Department of Agriculture no longer publishes an annual report on this topic. The study will involve consulting with an advisory committee, outside organizations, and other state agencies, and may include contracting with external groups to find feasible ways to measure and track food insecurity over time, with a focus on identifying disparities among different populations like those defined by age, geography, income, race, and veteran status, and a gap analysis to find missing data. The Commissioner is also authorized to accept funds from any source for this study, which will be kept in a separate, dedicated account, and the results will be published online. By January 15, 2027, a report detailing any challenges faced during the study, data on its outcomes, and recommendations for future actions will be submitted to relevant legislative committees, who may then propose new laws based on the findings.