WEST virginia legislature

2019 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

House Bill 2396

By Delegate Thompson and Lovejoy

[Originating in the Committee on Finance, February 21, 2019]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §19-37-1, relating to requiring all state-funded institutions to purchase a minimum of five percent of fresh produce, meat and poultry products from in-state producers if available at equal or lower cost.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 37.  West VIRGINIA FRESH FOOD ACT.

§19-37-1.  Legislative findings and purpose; state-funded institutions to purchase food from in-state sources; exceptions.

(a) According to the West Virginia Farm Bureau state schools alone currently purchase $100 million of food from out-of-state sources.

(b) Locally grown food is healthier and more beneficial to the environment than food imported from other states and other countries.

(c) This article will:

(1) Stimulate the agricultural economy of the state, especially in its economically depressed areas, and allow small farmers to expand operations as well as acting as an incentive to new people to begin farming;

(2) Encourage state-funded institutions to begin growing their own produce, thus enabling people to learn and practice agricultural techniques, as well as lowering operational costs of those institutions; and

(3) Spur self-sufficiency and economic independence of those who learn and engage in agricultural activities.

(d) Beginning July 1, 2019, all state-funded institutions, such as schools, colleges, correctional facilities, governmental agencies and state parks, shall purchase a minimum of five percent of its fresh produce, meat and poultry products from in-state producers: Provided, That such produce, meat and poultry products can be grown or is available from in-state producers and at a cost equal to or less than the cost from out-of-state producers or United States Department of Agriculture reported pricing data.