SB463 SFA Ferns 3-9 #1

Fisher 7874

Senator Ferns moved to amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

Chapter 16

ARTICLE 7. PURE FOOD AND DRUGS.

§16-7-5a. Joint Task Force on Milk Rules and Regulations.

(a) The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to examine the potential benefit and economies of scale by transferring some or all authority to promulgate milk rules and regulations from the Department of Health and Human Resources to the Department of Agriculture.

(b) On or before June 1, 2018, the Governor shall appoint a Joint Task Force on Milk Rules and Regulations composed of the following fifteen members:

(1) One representative from the Department of Agriculture;

(2) One representative from the Bureau for Public Health;

(3) One representative of the West Virginia University Extension Service;

(4) One representative from local health departments in the state;

(5) Two representatives from a trade or industry group representing the farming and agriculture industry in the state, at least one of whom shall be a dairy farmer;

(6) Three citizen members;

(7) Three Senators as recommended by the President of the Senate, no more than two of whom shall be from the same political party; and

(8) Three Delegates as recommended by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, no more than two of whom shall be from the same political party.

(c) The representative from the Department of Agriculture shall preside over the work group and shall provide staff to facilitate meetings of the Joint Task Force.  The Joint Task Force shall examine the potential benefit and economies of scale of transferring some or all authority to promulgate milk rules and regulations from the Department of Health and Human Resources to the Department of Agriculture. The task force shall recommend legislation to the Governor and to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance no later than December 31, 2018.

(d) The expenses of the members on the task force shall be paid equally from the funds of the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau for Public Health, and the West Virginia University Extension Service: Provided, That the members of the Joint Task Force may receive no compensation for their services other than actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties as members of the Joint Task Force.

(d) The authority of the Joint Task Force on Milk Rules and Regulations shall sunset and expire and is of no force and effect after December 31, 2018, or upon submission of any recommendations or draft legislation, whichever comes first.

Adopted

Rejected