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Bill Summary · SJ 11

Summary — SJ 11: Interim study on farmer's markets and food systems

Status: Filed with Secretary of State (Apr 30, 2025)
Introduced: Jan 9, 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Bruce “Butch” Gillespie
Type: Joint resolution (interim study)
Related draft: LC 3215 (replaces)

Purpose / Intent

SJ 11 directs the Legislature to conduct an interim study of farmer’s markets and broader food systems to better understand regulatory, economic, tax, public‑health, and access issues affecting markets, producers and consumers. The goal is to gather data and stakeholder input so the Legislature can consider policy or statutory changes in a future session.

What the resolution does

  • Directs a joint legislative committee (referred to the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections) to carry out an interim study concerning farmer’s markets and food systems.
  • Establishes the study as a formal legislative interim activity (to be completed between regular sessions) and requires the committee to collect information, hold hearings, and prepare findings for the Legislature.
  • Replaces prior draft LC 3215 as the operative study resolution.

Note: The bill text itself (title and actions) identifies the study topic but does not list, in the public record summary, a detailed scope or deadline; the committee undertaking the study will define specific tasks, witnesses, and report timing consistent with interim study procedures.

Topics likely to be examined

Although the resolution’s public summary is brief, typical topics for this type of study — and those signaled by the bill’s subject tags (Agriculture; Livestock; Taxation; Interim Studies) — include:
- Operations, regulation, permitting, and oversight of farmer’s markets
- Economic impact on small and direct‑market producers
- Interactions with food safety and public‑health rules
- Taxation and fee structures affecting producers and markets
- Access to markets for beginning/limited‑resource farmers and underserved consumers
- SNAP/WIC/other benefit acceptance and barriers
- Infrastructure, processing, distribution, and linkages in regional food systems

Who is affected

  • Small and direct‑market farmers, market vendors, and market operators
  • Local governments and public‑health/regulatory agencies
  • Consumers, particularly low‑income and rural residents who rely on markets
  • State tax and agriculture agencies and programs that intersect with market activity

Procedural timeline & status highlights

  • Introduced Jan 9, 2025; referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections.
  • Advanced through Senate committees (Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation) with amendment and passed Senate 2nd/3rd readings in mid‑March 2025.
  • Transmitted to House, reviewed and concurred by House Agriculture committee; House concurred in April 2025.
  • Signed by chamber leaders and filed with the Secretary of State on Apr 30, 2025, formally establishing the interim study for the coming legislative interim.

If you want, I can draft a short list of recommended questions or stakeholders the committee should include in the study.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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