CT SB01063

Establishes a task force to study farmland access issues for new and beginning farmers, including affordability, availability, farm financing accessibility, and farm worker housing in urban, rural, and suburban areas.

Task force shall examine farmland accessibility for historically underrepresented populations in farming, review effectiveness of current state programs, and consider programs from other states addressing farmland accessibility.

Task force consists of 9 members: two appointed by House Speaker (one beginning farmer, one experienced farmer with 10+ years), two by Senate President Pro Tempore (one from organization supporting beginning farmers, one from lending institution), one each appointed by House and Senate majority leaders, one each by House and Senate minority leaders, plus Commissioners of Agriculture and Economic and Community Development and University of Connecticut Agricultural Extension representative.

First task force meeting must be held within 60 days after passage, with administrative support provided by the joint standing committee on agriculture.

Task force must submit findings and recommendations report by January 1, 2020, and shall terminate upon report submission or January 1, 2020, whichever is later.