Bill > SB2061

This bill establishes the Oklahoma Food Policy Council Act, creating a nine-member council within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to advise and coordinate efforts related to food policy in the state. The council will be composed of members appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, representing various sectors including farmers, local food initiatives, health departments, conservation, food banks, and agricultural divisions, with staggered three-year terms. The council is tasked with fostering connections between farmers and local organizations to promote "local food" (food produced within Oklahoma) and "sustainable food" (food systems that are economically viable, environmentally protective, and accessible), strengthening farm-to-school programs, improving producer-to-consumer access through farmers markets and "agritourism" (tourism related to agriculture), and assessing the economic and health impacts of local food systems, including the use of "community gardens" (land cultivated for local food production) and "farmers hubs" (facilities supporting the distribution of products from multiple farmers). The council will operate under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and Oklahoma Open Records Act, meet at least four times annually, and submit an annual report with recommendations to the Governor and legislative leaders, with members eligible for travel expense reimbursement but not compensation, and the act will become effective on November 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb2061&Session=2600