Oklahoma SB 749: Agriculture; creating the Urban Gardens Grant Act. Effective date.

Bill Text

Req. No. 750 Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 56th Legislature (2017)

SENATE BILL 749 By: Matthews

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to agriculture; creating the Urban
Gardens Grant Act; defining terms; creating the Urban
Gardens Grant Revolving Fund; directing the
Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to
administer the act; directing the State Board of
Agriculture to promulgate rules and adopt certain
guidelines; stating guidelines; providing for one-
time grants; identifying eligible entities; stating
purpose of urban gardens; providing for codification;
and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5-120 of Title 2, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Urban Gardens
Grant Act”.
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5-121 of Title 2, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
For purposes of the Urban Gardens Grant Act:

Req. No. 750 Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1. “Department” means the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture,
Food, and Forestry;
2. “Food desert” means a census tract that is designated as
both a low-income area and a low access area;
3. “Low access area” means a census tract, as reported in the
most recent decennial census published by the United States Bureau
of the Census, where at least 500 persons or 33 percent (33%) of
their population live more than:
a one (1) mile from a supermarket or large grocery store
in urban areas, and
b. ten (10) miles from a supermarket or large grocery
store in rural areas;
4. “Low-income area” means a census tract, as reported in the
most recent decennial census published by the United States Bureau
of the Census, where at least 20 percent (20%) of the people have
income at or below the federal poverty levels for family size, or
where median family income for the tract is at or below 80 percent
(80%) of the surrounding area’s median family income.
SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5-122 of Title 2, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund
for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to be
designated the “Urban Gardens Grant Revolving Fund”. The fund shall

Req. No. 750 Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and
shall consist of all monies received by the State Board of
Agriculture from state-appropriated funds, federal funds, donations,
grants and contributions from any public or private source. All
monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated
and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma Department of
Agriculture, Food, and Forestry for the purpose of administering the
Urban Gardens Grant Act. Expenditures from the fund shall be made
upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as
prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and
Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5-123 of Title 2, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The Department shall administer the provisions of the Urban
Gardens Grant Act.
B. The State Board of Agriculture shall promulgate rules and
adopt eligibility guidelines necessary to enforce and administer the
Urban Gardens Grant Act, including an application process for
grants. Entities that receive grants must be located in food
deserts and serve residents of the community in which they are
located. The applicants shall show that an awarded grant will
expand and stimulate economic activity in the low income areas

Req. No. 750 Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
served, as well as provide increased opportunities for the citizens
of those low income areas to obtain healthier food options.
C. One-time grants up to Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000.00) shall be provided to entities for the purchase of
greenhouses and other materials to establish and operate an urban
garden.
D. Entities eligible to apply for the grants are nonprofit
community organizations, churches, or other nonprofit organizations.
E. The urban gardens shall grow healthy foods that are to be
sold on site or at farmer’s markets, produce stands and retailers
located within the same community.
SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2017.

56-1-750 QD 1/20/2017 8:03:23 AM