Many pieces of legislation become effective on Jan. 1
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
When the calendar turns to 2023, multiple pieces of legislation across U.S. states will come into effect.
With that at top of mind, here’s a collection of some ag and food-related laws that will become effective on Jan. 1.
In Illinois, for example, HB5201 establishes an Agriculture Equity Commission.
This group, made up of government and industry representatives, will meet on a quarterly basis.
The commission’s role is to “ensure equity in the State’s top job producing industry by recognizing the loss to African American farmers and growers and the difficulties other minorities have faced in the agriculture industry and the effect those difficulties have on the food system, health and economy of vulnerable communities.”
Also in Illinois, HB2382, the Healthy Food Program Development Act, will come into effect on Jan. 1.
This law directs the department of human services to expand the access to healthy foods to eligible areas in Illinois by providing assistance to grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other locations.
And SB3838 in Illinois will also become law on Jan. 1.
This piece of legislation amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act, making farmers who sell their goods on-farm exempt from licensing by his or her local health department under specific conditions.
In California, a law will come into effect designed to support farmworkers.
AB-2183 expands opportunities for farmworkers to unionize through a mailed ballot or dropping a ballot card off at the state’s agricultural labor relations board.
A new Colorado law in 2023 will change how eggs are produced in that state.
Beginning Jan. 1, House Bill 20-1343 requires all eggs sold at grocery stores to come from cage-free hens.