As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session S. B. No. 288

2025-2026

Senator Hicks-Hudson

Cosponsors: Senators Craig, Smith

To create the Ohio Food and Agriculture Policy Council and to make an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. (A) The Ohio Food and Agriculture Policy Council is created to make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding food systems that strengthen the state's food and farm economies. The Council shall engage in advocacy, education, and policy work to enhance the health and wellness of the citizens of Ohio and to encourage the sustainability of natural resources.

(B) The Council shall consist of the Director of Agriculture or the Director's designee and all of the following members appointed by the Governor:

(1) One member who represents the Ohio Hospital Association;

(2) One member who represents Ohio State University Extension;

(3) One member who represents Central State University Extension;

(4) Three members who represent the Ohio Farm Bureau;

(5) One member who represents urban farming;

(6) One member who represents rural farming;

(7) One member who represents statewide food banks;

(8) One member who is a registered lobbyist who represents Ohio cooperatives.

(C)(1) The Governor shall make appointments to the Council not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section. The Council shall convene not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section. Each appointed member of the Council shall serve for a four-year term. Each appointed member is subject to removal at the pleasure of the Governor. Any vacancy on the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. After the expiration of each appointed member's four-year term, the Council ceases to exist.

(2) The Council shall be considered a part of the Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes. The Director of Agriculture or the Director's designee shall serve as Chairperson of the Council. The Council may request from the Director, and the Director shall provide, meeting space, assistance, services, and information to enable the Council to carry out its duties.

(D) The Council shall develop a statewide plan containing policy and funding recommendations for promoting and supporting an equitable, healthy, and sustainable food system on the state and local level. The Council shall engage in educational outreach and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly as needed. The Council also shall compile and deliver, not later than the first day of March each year, an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the Council's recommendations concerning all of the following topics:

(1) Food security;

(2) Food access;

(3) Food production and distribution;

(4) Food waste;

(5) Economic development;

(6) Food procurement;

(7) Food chain workers;

(8) Food systems resilience.

Section 2. All items in this act are hereby appropriated as designated out of any moneys in the state treasury to the credit of the designated fund. For all operating appropriations made in this act, those in the first column are for fiscal year 2026 and those in the second column are for fiscal year 2027. The operating appropriations made in this act are in addition to any other operating appropriations made for these fiscal years.

Section 3.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The foregoing appropriation item 700514, Special Projects, shall be used to support the activities of the Ohio Food and Agriculture Policy Council established under Section 1 of this act.

Section 4. Within the limits set forth in this act, the Director of Budget and Management shall establish accounts indicating the source and amount of funds for each appropriation made in this act, and shall determine the manner in which appropriation accounts shall be maintained. Expenditures from operating appropriations contained in this act shall be accounted for as though made in, and are subject to all applicable provisions of, H.B. 96 of the 136th General Assembly.