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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §213, as amended by PL 2005, c. 382, Pt. C, §1, is further amended to read:
§ 213.Implementation of state policy to purchase foodstuffs from Maine concerns
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and assuming reasonable similarity in quality, quantity and availability with other foodstuffs offered for sale, state or school purchasers shall buy meat, fish, dairy products, excludingincluding milk and eggs, and species of fruits and fresh vegetables, directly from Maine food producers or from food brokers who assist in the distribution of foodstuffs produced or harvested by Maine food producers. In the event that more than one producer, broker or wholesaler can supply a given foodstuff, the institutional or school purchaser may require competitive bidding.
 
3.  Implementation schedule.     The following percentages of foodstuffs purchased by a state or school purchaser, except for a school purchaser at a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 220 (2007), must come directly from Maine food producers or food brokers who assist in the distribution of foodstuffs produced or harvested by Maine food producers:
 
A.  By December 31, 2020, at least 15%;
 
B.  By December 31, 2024, at least 20%;
 
C.  By December 31, 2034, at least 25%; and
 
D.  By December 31, 2035, at least 35%.
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §215, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 608, §2, is amended to read:
 
1. Quality standards to be established.   Quality standards for meat, fish, dairy products, excludingincluding milk and eggs, and species of fresh fruits and vegetables shallmust be established in writing and copies of these standards shallmust be made available to all Maine food producers and brokers and wholesalers who are interested in selling food to institutions and schools in Maine.’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment is the minority report of the committee and changes the implementation dates and minimum percentages regarding Maine foodstuffs that state and school purchasers must purchase directly from Maine food producers or food brokers. It changes the implementation schedule for Maine foodstuffs from at least 15% for the 10 years beginning January 1, 2014, at least 25% for the next 10 years and at least 35% beginning in 2034 to at least 15% by December 31, 2020, 20% by December 31, 2024, 25% by December 31, 2034 and 35% by December 31, 2035. The amendment also removes from current law the exclusion of milk and eggs from foodstuffs that must be purchased by a state or school purchaser and the exclusion of milk and eggs from products for which quality standards must be established. The amendment excepts from the requirements school purchasers at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)