MO HB1793

Department of Agriculture shall contract with a website development company to build and maintain the "Missouri International Agricultural Exchange" website to promote Missouri agricultural products to international buyers.

Missouri-based agricultural sellers can post products produced in Missouri on the website at no charge; sellers must register with a Missouri address and only in-state produced agricultural products are permitted.

State of Missouri retains ownership of all website content; the website developer can use and optimize content for search engines and sell advertising to entities benefiting from marketing to international agriculture producers and buyers.

Website developer bears all costs for development, marketing, and maintenance of the website using advertising revenues as financing; must demonstrate proven search engine optimization expertise and provide three prior successful website development projects.

Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Economic Development, awards annual contracts with renewal options and authority to terminate for non-compliance; department may promulgate necessary rules subject to Missouri Administrative Procedure Act requirements.