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joint resolution NO. _____________
INTRODUCED
BY _________________________________________________
By Request of the ****
A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of food security and agricultural prosperity; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 69th Legislature.
WHEREAS, food security is vital to our state and nation; and
WHEREAS, agriculture is Montana's top production industry and comprises a central and vital component of this state's economy; and
WHEREAS, the prosperity of Montana's agricultural commodities fuels the prosperity of the state; and
WHEREAS, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations states that "food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life"; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely stressed underlying issues of food access and food distribution in the state; and
WHEREAS, Montana's agricultural economy has grown in response to demand for more diverse crops, such as pulse crops and other specialty crops; and
WHEREAS, spending on agriculture and food systems directly supports public health, local economies, and independent and historically marginalized farmers and ranchers.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to examine issues related to the production of food and the consumption of food in the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the assigned committee examine:
(1) the availability of food in the state;
(2) the production of food;
(3) the access to food by individuals or households;
(4) opportunities to add value in all sectors of agricultural production;
(5) existing programs and initiatives focused on food security and agricultural prosperity, including programs funded with federal money or donations, such as the Farmers to Families Food Box Program;
(6) issues, challenges, and opportunities related to locally grown, accessed, processed, and distributed food;
(7) the Made in Montana and Grown in Montana products program; and
(8) challenges to food security, such as soil health and pollinator decline.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the examination include relevant agencies and stakeholders, including those with expertise in agricultural production, livestock production, community food bank operations, the science of nutrition, and local food growing and retailing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 69th Legislature.