HB996: HB996 Agriculture, Department of; food deserts; require annual reporting

26 LC 60 0187 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 A nnotated, relating to the1 Department of Agriculture, so as to require annual reporting by such department regarding2 food deserts in this state; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide3 for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Chapter 2 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department7 of Agriculture, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:8 "2-2-14.9 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:10 (1) 'Farmers' market' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 2-10-52.11 (2) 'Food desert' means an area with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent where at least12 one-third of the population lives more than one mile away from a retail food store or13 farmers' market, which results in the population of such area having low access to fresh14 fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods.15 H. B. 996 - 1 - 26 LC 60 0187 (3) 'Retail food store' means a food store that has reported at least $2 million in annual16 sales and contains all the major food departments found in a traditional supermarket or17 large grocery store, including, but not limited to, fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh meat18 and poultry, dairy, dry and packaged foods, and frozen foods.19 (b) Beginning October 31, 2026, and no later than October 31 of each year thereafter, the20 department, in coordination with the Division of Family and Chi ldren Services of the21 Department of Human Services, shall prepare and submit to the G eneral Assembly an22 annual report:23 (1) Identifying the locations of food deserts within this state;24 (2) Providing information about health issues associated with such food deserts; and25 (3) Outlining recommendations on reducing the number and size of such food deserts.26 (c) An annual report containing information derived, whether i n whole or in part, from27 material disseminated by the federal government addressing any of the reporting28 requirements outlined in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsecti on (b) of this Code section29 shall satisfy the respective reporting requirement or requirements."30 SECTION 2.31 This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law32 without such approval.33 SECTION 3.34 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.35 H. B. 996 - 2 -