HB2566 H ANR AM #1

Akers 3254

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources moved to amend the bill on page one, after the enacting clause, by striking out the remainder of the bill and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

(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.

(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, 2018, each state-funded institution shall grow or purchase from in-state producers five percent of its fresh produce, and this amount shall increase by an additional five percent each year until reaching twenty percent: Provided, That such produce 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.”