An Act relative to food justice with jobs

Overview: Bill Number: H 132, Title: An Act relative to food justice with jobs, Status: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means, Introduced: February 04, 2025, Classification: bill

Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this bill is to address food insecurity and promote food justice by creating new job opportunities in the food and agriculture sectors.

Key Provisions:
- Establishes a grant program to fund the creation of new jobs in urban farming, food processing, and distribution
- Provides tax credits and other financial incentives for businesses that hire and train workers from underserved communities
- Mandates the development of a statewide food system plan to identify gaps and opportunities for expanding local food production and access

Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Individuals and communities experiencing food insecurity
- Businesses and organizations in the food and agriculture industries
- State and local government agencies responsible for economic development and food policy

Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
- The bill has been reported favorably by a legislative committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration
- If passed, the grant program and tax incentives would be implemented over a multi-year period, with regular progress reports and evaluations