Subchapter EE. GOVERNOR’S FOOD SAFETY COUNCIL

 The Governor’s Food Safety Council shall do the following:

   (1)  Advise the Governor on the development and implementation of food safety and defense protocols and practices in the Commonwealth.

   (2)  Provide guidance on prevention, protection, response and recovery to food-related threats.

 The Govenor’s Food Safety Council (Council) shall do the following:

   (1)  Provide guidance and recommendations on the implementation of the Strategy for Agriculture and Food Excellence (S.A.F.E.) Initiative and the protocols and recommendations contained therein.

   (2)  Provide guidance on the continued growth/enhancement/expansion of the S.A.F.E. Initiative as science, technology and threats change on the Federal, State and local level.

   (3)  Facilitate coordination among the public and private entities that play a role in food safety and defense at the Federal, State and local levels.

   (4)  Monitor and evaluate food safety laws and regulations to assess their impact on this Commonwealth.

   (5)  Convene two times per year and at the call of the Chairperson of the Council. A simple majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

 The Governor’s Food Safety Council (Council) shall consist of the following members:

   (1)  The following agency heads of the Commonwealth, or their designees who serve in positions related to the safety and security of the food supply:

     (i)   Secretary of Agriculture, who will serve as Co-Chairperson of the Council.

     (ii)   Secretary of Health, who will serve as Co-Chairperson of the Council.

     (iii)   Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

     (iv)   Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.

   (2)  The Majority and Minority Chairpersons of the Senate of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees.

   (3)  Additional members of the public representing the agriculture and food production sectors as well as the public health and emergency management communities. The members of the public will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. A member of the public appointed to the Council under this subsection may have a designee act on the member’s behalf, if the member first provides the Chairperson a copy of the member’s written designation authorizing the designee to so act. These members will include:

     (i)   Two members representing Local/Act 315 Health Departments.

     (ii)   Three academic members, one of whom shall represent the Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center.

     (iii)   Two retail sector members, represented by the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association.

     (iv)   Two processing sector members.

     (v)   Three agricultural producers representing animal, vegetable and fruit production.

     (vi)   Two members representing general agricultural organizations in this Commonwealth.

     (vii)   Two members representing the ports and transportation sector in this Commonwealth, one of whom shall serve as the liaison to the Port of Philadelphia.

     (viii)   Four members of Federal enforcement agencies representing the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Department of Agriculture; Center for Disease Control; and the Food and Drug Administration.

     (ix)   One member representing the local regional task forces in this Commonwealth.

 This subchapter shall remain in effect unless revised or rescinded by the