SLS 23RS-982 ORIGINAL 2023 Regular Session SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 31 BY SENATOR WOMACK AGRICULTURE/FOREST DEPT. Creates the Task Force on Louisiana Automated Grain Grading. 1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION 2 To create and provide for the Task Force on Louisiana Automated Grain Grading to study 3 and make recommendations on emerging technologies for the grading of grain through 4 automated machinery. 5 WHEREAS, excessive rains last year caused financial hardships for our agricultural 6 producers and damaged their crops, which brought to light that there is grain being graded 7 by noncertified persons and highlighted a lack in uniformity in grain grading across the state; 8 and 9 WHEREAS, the current method of grading of grain, established through the United 10 States Grain Standards Act (as amended), is a physical one performed by hand, sight, and 11 smell; and 12 WHEREAS, automating grain grading will be a significant step in ensuring 13 uniformity and eliminating subjectivity. 14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 15 establish and provide for the Task Force on Louisiana Automated Grain Grading to study 16 and make recommendations on emerging technologies for the grading of grain through 17 automated machinery, and to propose recommendations, together with specific proposals for 18 legislation, by written report to the legislature and to the David R. Poynter Legislative Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 31 SLS 23RS-982 ORIGINAL 1 Research Library as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than February 1, 2024. 2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall study emerging technologies 3 for the grading of grain through automated machinery. 4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following 5 members: 6 (1) The commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or 7 his designee. 8 (2) The president of the Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association, or his designee. 9 (3) The president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, or his designee. 10 (4) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, 11 and Rural Development, or his designee. 12 (5) The chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and 13 Rural Development, or his designee. 14 (6) One member of the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board, 15 appointed by the commissioner of agriculture and forestry. 16 (7) One representative of a grain elevator, appointed by the commissioner of 17 agriculture and forestry. 18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each designating authority shall submit the 19 names of designees to the task force to the secretary of the Senate no later than July 15, 20 2023. 21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the task force shall convene for its first meeting no 22 later than September 1, 2023, and at the first meeting, the members shall elect a chairman 23 and other officers as the task force may deem appropriate. 24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate shall provide staffing support for the 25 task force. 26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force shall constitute a 27 quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force shall require the 28 affirmative vote of a majority of the members. 29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve 30 without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 31 SLS 23RS-982 ORIGINAL 1 individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations. 2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date of the 3 submission of its report or July 1, 2024, whichever occurs first. 4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the 5 commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the president of the Louisiana 6 Farm Bureau Federation, and the president of the Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association. The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Lebra R. Bias. DIGEST SCR 31 Original 2023 Regular Session Womack Creates the Task Force on Louisiana Automated Grain Grading. Page 3 of 3