HB 191 Summary

• Establishes a new Department of Agriculture and Food as a separate state department, transferring agricultural responsibilities from the Department of Natural Resources.

• Transfers food safety regulatory authority between departments: Department of Agriculture and Food oversees agricultural food and animal products; Department of Environmental Conservation oversees retail food establishments and fish/fisheries products.

• Grants the new Department of Agriculture and Food authority over animal and plant health, agricultural development, seed regulation, pest control, and farm-to-school programs.

• Creates new powers for the Department of Environmental Conservation over fish and fisheries products inspection, aquatic farm standards, and retail food establishment sanitation.

• Effective date is July 1, 2014, with departments authorized to adopt necessary implementing regulations beginning immediately.