Section 247.984 - Farms to Food Banks Advisory Committee(1) The Farms to Food Banks Advisory Committee is hereby created for the purpose of advising the department concerning the implementation and administration of the program established under KRS 247.980 to 247.986. The committee shall be composed of no fewer than ten (10) but no more than fifteen (15) members appointed by the Commissioner. Membership on the committee shall include: (a) Food and nutrition advocates;(b) Regional food bank representatives;(c) Local government representatives;(d) Representatives of the department and Governor's Office;(e) Agricultural commodity producers;(f) Representatives of farm advocacy groups;(g) Representatives of Kentucky public or private colleges and universities; and(h) At-large members designated by the Commissioner.(2) The advisory committee shall elect a chairperson during the first organizational meeting.(3) The committee shall: (a) Advise the department concerning the implementation and administration of KRS 247.980 to 247.986;(b) Make recommendations to the department regarding the content of administrative regulations promulgated by the department in accordance with KRS 247.980 to 247.986;(c) Advise the department on administration of the fund created pursuant to KRS 247.985 by developing a written plan for the expenditure of funds. The committee shall meet at least one (1) time a year to review the plan and prepare the annual report. The plan shall, at a minimum, include the following:1. A summary of existing food banks in Kentucky;2. An evaluation of the needs of the hungry in Kentucky, including the population of areas served by food banks, the percent of the population that is at or below the federal poverty level, an estimate of the number of school children who receive free or reduced-price meals, and other criteria that can measure need; and3. A proposal for distributing funds to areas of recognized need; and(d) Provide to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission an annual report by October 1 of each year. The initial report shall include the plan developed under paragraph (c) of this subsection for the expenditure of funds. The initial and future reports shall include details of the amounts and recipients of funds distributed.(4) Appointed committee members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred while engaged in carrying out the official duties of the committee.(5) The committee shall be attached to the Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes.Amended by 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 6,§ 1, eff. 7/14/2018.Amended by 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 159,§ 3, eff. 7/11/2012. Created 2009, Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 5, effective 6/25/2009.