A joint Resolution

 

TO CREATE THE "CHILD FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES STUDY COMMITTEE" TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL CHILD FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN THIS STATE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE, TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE PREPARE A REPORT WITH FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly finds the South Carolina Department of Agriculture currently administers numerous programs related to food and nutrition, including the South Carolina Farm to School Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and various food and dairy safety programs; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly finds the South Carolina Department of Education administers certain other child-related national food and nutrition programs and initiatives of the United States Department of Agriculture, including the school lunch program, school breakfast program, afterschool snack program, special milk program, and summer food service programs; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly finds it worthwhile to consider whether administration of these child-related national food and nutrition programs by the Department of Agriculture rather than the Department of Education is a more logical and efficient approach, given the Department of Agriculture's relationship to matters concerning food and nutrition; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly finds it worthwhile to consider whether these child-related national food and nutrition programs should be provided at no cost to all South Carolina students. Now, therefore,

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  (A) There is created the "Child Food and Nutrition Services Study Committee" to examine the advisability of transferring the administration of certain food and nutrition programs and initiatives of the Food and Nutrition Service Child Nutrition Program of the United States Department of Agriculture currently administered by the State Department of Education to the State Department of Agriculture and whether these child-related national food and nutritional programs should be provided at no cost to all South Carolina students. These programs include, but are not limited to, the school lunch program, school breakfast program, afterschool snack program, special milk program, and summer food service programs. The committee must also examine ways to enhance collaboration and pricing to increase purchasing powers for South Carolina farmers to ensure locally sourced foods are being provided to schools.

    (B) The study committee is composed of:

       (1) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House;

       (2) one member appointed by the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee;

       (3) one member appointed by the Chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee;

       (4) one member appointed by the House Minority Leader;

        (5) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

       (6) one member appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee;

       (7) one member appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee;

       (8) one member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

       (9) one member appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

       (10) the Director of the Department of Social Services or his designee;

       (11) two members from a local school district's food services department appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

       (12) one member appointed by the State Commissioner of Agriculture;

       (13) two members appointed by the Governor who are employed by nonprofit service providers that specialize in hunger relief; and

       (14) two members who have a child that is a recipient of free and reduced lunch appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

    (C) Members of the study committee shall serve without compensation, but are allowed the mileage, subsistence, and per diem allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions, to be paid equally from approved accounts of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

    (D) The study committee shall choose its officers and must be provided with clerical, administrative, and research services by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

    (E) The study committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2024, at which time the study committee terminates.

 

SECTION 2.  This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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