SJR5 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack W. WilliamsSenator

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2021

Title

Farm-To-Schools Task Force, created

Summary

Creates the Farm-to-Schools Task Force to study and develop a program for buying fresh produce from local farmers to help alleviate food shortages in Alabama public schools.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a Farm-to-Schools Task Force to study and develop a farm-to-school food program that would allow the state or local boards of education to purchase fresh vegetables and other produce from local farmers. The task force, with broad representation and support, will produce findings and recommendations for implementing the program and report them by the last legislative day of the 2022 Regular Session; after that, the task force will be dissolved.

Who It Affects

• Public schools in Alabama and their students, who could benefit from improved access to fresh, local foods.
• Local farmers and producers, who could gain new buyers through state or local education programs.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Farm-to-Schools Task Force to study and develop a program to facilitate purchase of fresh vegetables and other produce from local farmers by the state or local boards of education.
• Task force composition includes 4 senators (appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate), 4 representatives (appointed by the Speaker of the House), 1 gubernatorial appointee, the Superintendent of Education or designee, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or designee, and the Director of Finance or designee.
• Appointments must be coordinated to reflect diversity of gender, race, and geographic areas of the state.
• Legislative members receive regular compensation, per diem, and travel expenses; non-legislative members may be reimbursed for necessary expenses and travel according to their employers’ policies.
• First meeting must be held by December 1, 2022; the task force elects a House co-chair and a Senate co-chair at its first meeting; administrative support is provided by the Legislative Services Agency, the Clerk of the House, and the Secretary of the Senate.
• The task force may hold meetings at the chair’s or a majority’s call; it must present its findings and recommendations for legislation or other measures by the last legislative day of the 2022 Regular Session, at which point the task force dissolves.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative