HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM House SponsorsRep. Sonya M. Harper, Jehan Gordon-Booth, Kambium Buckner, LaToya Greenwood, Emanuel Chris Welch and Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar Senate Sponsors(Sen. Mattie Hunter, David Koehler and Ann Gillespie) 6/9/2022HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-1049 New Act Creates the Healthy Food Program Development Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture may coordinate with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a Healthy Food Development Program to expand access to healthy foods in eligible areas in the State by providing assistance to grocery stores, corner stores, farmers' markets, and other small food retailers. Provides that the benefits provided shall be awarded to grocery stores, corner stores, farmers' markets, and other small food retailers in eligible areas on a competitive basis, with priority given to projects with the greatest potential impact to expand access to healthy foods ineligible areas that are underserved by retail sales of healthy food in the State. Provides requirements for participation in the program. Provides that the Department shall designate a grocery ambassador to assist retailers of healthy foods in the State by: (1) providing research and data on eligible areas with insufficient grocery access; (2) coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and other relevant State agencies; (3) providing assistance to small grocery retailers in this State, including obtaining and expediting regulatory procedures; and (4) providing other assistance as needed. Provides that the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, shall convene a working group to develop a plan for establishing a commercial distribution system, for fresh produce and healthy foods to corner stores and other small food retailers.House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Department of Human Services (instead of the Department of Agriculture) may coordinate with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a Healthy Food Development Program. Removes provisions regarding the working group. 2/17/2021HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper 2/17/2021HouseFirst Reading 2/17/2021HouseReferred to Rules Committee 3/9/2021HouseAssigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 3/27/2021HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 2/9/2022HouseAssigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 2/15/2022HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000 2/16/2022HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/1/2022HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper 3/1/2022HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 3/2/2022HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth 3/2/2022HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 3/2/2022HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 3/2/2022HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate 3/2/2022HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 008-000-000 3/3/2022HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kambium Buckner 3/3/2022HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. LaToya Greenwood 3/3/2022HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch 3/4/2022HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted 3/4/2022HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 3/4/2022HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 104-000-000 3/4/2022HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar 3/7/2022SenateArrive in Senate 3/7/2022SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 3/7/2022SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter 3/7/2022SenateFirst Reading 3/7/2022SenateReferred to Assignments 3/15/2022SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler 3/16/2022SenateAssigned to Agriculture 3/24/2022SenateDo Pass Agriculture; 011-000-000 3/24/2022SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 25, 2022 3/28/2022SenateSecond Reading 3/28/2022SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 29, 2022 3/29/2022SenateThird Reading - Passed; 054-000-000 3/29/2022HousePassed Both Houses 3/29/2022SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Ann Gillespie 4/27/2022HouseSent to the Governor 6/9/2022HouseGovernor Approved 6/9/2022HouseEffective Date January 1, 2023 6/9/2022HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-1049