House Bill 996
By: Representatives Berry of the 56th, Dawson of the 65th, Barnes of the 86th, Schofield of the
63rd, and O’Steen of the 169th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
Department of Agriculture, so as to require annual reporting by such department regarding
food deserts in this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide
for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 2 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department
of Agriculture, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
<ins>"2-2-14.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Farmers' market' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 2-10-52.
(2) 'Food desert' means an area with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent where at least
one-third of the population lives more than one mile away from a retail food store or
farmers' market, which results in the population of such area having low access to fresh
fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods.
</ins>
<ins>(3) 'Retail food store' means a food store that has reported at least $2 million in annual
sales and contains all the major food departments found in a traditional supermarket or
large grocery store, including, but not limited to, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat
and poultry, dairy, dry and packaged foods, and frozen foods.
(b) Beginning October 31, 2026, and no later than October 31 of each year thereafter, the
department, in coordination with the Division of Family and Children Services of the
Department of Human Services, shall prepare and submit to the General Assembly an
annual report:
(1) Identifying the locations of food deserts within this state;
(2) Providing information about health issues associated with such food deserts; and
(3) Outlining recommendations on reducing the number and size of such food deserts.
(c) An annual report containing information derived, whether in whole or in part, from
material disseminated by the federal government addressing any of the reporting
requirements outlined in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section
shall satisfy the respective reporting requirement or requirements."
</ins> SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law
without such approval.
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.