,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #cjfd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #bf1 #bjba,mr4 ,booker 7for himself and ,mr4 ,braun7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to authorize a ,white ,house ,conference on ,food1 ,nutrition1 ,hunger1 and ,health1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,white ,house ,conference on ,food1 ,nutrition1 ,hunger1 and ,health ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 hunger and food and nutrition insecurity are conditions that can be solved2 7#b7 access to healthy food and good nutrition should be a fundamental priority of each individual who lives in a ,state2 7#c7 more than #ej years have passed since the ,united ,states convened a ,white ,house conference to comprehensively address the issues of food1 hunger1 health1 and nutrition in the ,united ,states2 7#d7 more than #ch1jjj1jjj individuals live in households that face food insecurity1 #ab1fjj1jjj of whom are children and #e1jjj1jjj of whom are seniors and persons with disabilities or critical illnesses2 7#e7 7,a7 because of the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 more than #db1jjj1jjj individuals1 including #ac1jjj1jjj children1 are projected to experience food insecurity2 and 7,b7 diet-related diseases greatly worsen outcomes from ,,covid-#ai1 contributing to nearly #b_/c of all ,,covid-#ai hospitalizations in the ,united ,states2 7#f7 7,a7 the ,,covid-#ai pandemic has disrupted global and local food supply chains1 identifying the fragility and importance of the food system as a national security issue and making clear that a diverse local and regional food system is essential to the resilience of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 that issue has become entangled with the issues of hunger and food and nutrition insecurity2 7#g7 7,a7 the burdens of food insecurity are not distributed equally1 as the burdens remain higher among racial and ethnic minority groups1 in rural areas1 and in the south and southeast2 7,b7 households headed by ,blacks and ,hispanics face higher rates of food insecurity1 at a rate of #ba4b percent and #af4b percent1 respectively1 while the national average is #aa4a percent2 and 7,c7 the geographic distributions of food insecurity remain a serious concern1 as rural communities represent #hg percent of the counties in the ,united ,states with the highest rates of overall food insecurity2 7#h7 7,a7 nutrition insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups and low-income1 rural1 and other underserved populations in the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 in just over #aj years1 type #b diabetes rates have doubled for ,african-,american children and increased #ej percent for ,native-,american children and ,hispanic children between #aj and #ai years old2 7#i7 conservative cost estimates show that the true cost of hunger and illness related to hunger and food and nutrition insecurity in the ,united ,states is at least #afj1jjj1jjj1jjj per year with respect to direct medical costs1 most of which is paid by ,medicare and ,medicaid1 an amount that exceeds the annual budget of the ,department of ,agriculture2 7#aj7 hyper-consolidation in the food industry has led to a dramatic decline in the farmer's share of the food dollar1 fewer choices for consumers1 and economic insecurity for rural communities1 many of which are now considered food deserts2 7#aa7 7,a7 better food and nutrition can save the ,united ,states billions of dollars in health care costs by preventing or delaying the progression to late-stage disease for tens of millions of individuals who live in a ,state and have chronic diseases2 7,b7 the adverse social1 physical1 and psychological outcomes associated with food and nutrition insecurity are well documented1 particularly in households with children1 including higher rates of diabetes and hypertension1 self-reported fair or poor health1 maternal depression1 behavioral problems and developmental delays in early life1 and poor academic achievement2 7,c7 those outcomes are not only detrimental to the health and well-being of individual children and families1 but also negatively impact broader society2 and 7,d7 based on a combination of lower worker productivity1 higher costs of public education1 greater health care costs1 and the cost associated with emergency food distribution1 the economic burden associated with food insecurity has been estimated to be over #agh1icj1jjj1jjj annually2 and 7#ab7 a national discussion of the root causes and social determinants of hunger and food and nutrition insecurity1 as well as identification of solutions to those epidemics1 can lead to action to implement those solutions and to end hunger in the ,united ,states4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,co-chairs ,the term ,co-chairs means-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services2 7,b7 the ,secretary of ,agriculture2 and 7,c7 the ,secretary of the ,treasury4 7#b7 ,conference ,the term ,conference means the ,white ,house ,conference on ,food1 ,nutrition1 ,hunger1 and ,health convened under section #d7;a74 7#c7 ,policy ,committee ,the term ,policy ,committee means the ,policy ,committee established under section #e7;a74 7#d7 ,presidential ,designee ,the term ,presidential ,designee means the ,presidential ,designee selected by the ,president under section #d7;b74 7#e7 ,state ,the term ,state means-- 7,a7 any of the several ,states2 7,b7 the ,district of ,columbia2 7,c7 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico2 7,d7 ,guam2 7,e7 ,american ,samoa2 7,f7 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands2 and 7,g7 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 #d4 ,authorization of the ,conference 7a7 ,authority ,to call conference ,the ,president shall call the ,white ,house ,conference on ,food1 ,nutrition1 ,hunger1 and ,health1 to be convened by the ,co-chairs not later than #ah months after the selection of the members of the ,policy ,committee in accordance with section #e7;a7-- 7#a7 to make fundamental policy recommendations with respect to ending hunger1 improving nutrition1 making the food system more resilient1 and creating sustainable markets for farmers and ranchers in the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 to implement the purposes described in subsection 7d7 and improve ,federal food and nutrition assistance programs4 7b7 ,selection of a ,presidential ,designee ,the ,president shall select a senior executive branch official to serve as ,presidential ,designee4 7c7 ,planning and direction ,the ,co-chairs1 in consultation with the ,presidential ,designee1 shall plan1 conduct1 and convene the ,conference4 7d7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,conference are-- 7#a7 to identify the impacts of the ,,covid-#ai pandemic on the state of food and nutrition insecurity2 7#b7 to identify areas of weakness within the food system of the ,united ,states2 7#c7 to explore the impact of racial1 urban1 rural1 and geographic disparities on hunger and food and nutrition insecurity2 7#d7 to identify viable solutions for-- 7,a7 ending hunger in the ,united ,states by #bjcj2 7,b7 reducing by #a_/b the level of nutrition insecurity by #bjbe2 and 7,c7 reducing by #a_/b the level of diet-related illnesses by #bjcj2 7#e7 to identify any changes and trends with respect to food and nutrition-related security1 health1 and healthcare spending for the #cj years prior to the date of enactment of this ,act2 7#f7 to review the structure1 scope1 and effectiveness of existing laws1 regulations1 or programs-- 7,a7 at the ,federal1 ,state1 and local levels that provide for the nutritional needs of food-insecure individuals who live in a ,state2 and 7,b7 across all ,federal departments and agencies that carry out activities related to food and nutrition2 7#g7 to identify possible duplication among ,federal food and nutrition programs and to recommend streamlining opportunities in order to improve nutritional and food security outcomes in the ,united ,states2 7#h7 to determine the extent to which current ,federal1 ,state1 and local programs can help improve the nutritional health of individuals who live in a ,state to better use available resources and ensure greater coordination among those programs2 7#i7 to identify the ways in which healthcare systems can best integrate and incorporate food and nutrition interventions to improve health1 end hunger1 and reduce by #a_/b the levels of nutrition insecurity and diet-related illnesses in the ,united ,states2 7#aj7 to identify ways to provide opportunities for independent family farmers and ranchers to meet the nutritional needs of every individual who lives in a ,state2 7#aa7 to highlight emerging and innovative programs from the public and private sectors1 including community-based and faith-based organizations that effectively address the nutrition needs of vulnerable individuals who live in a ,state2 7#ab7 to identify opportunities for effective partnerships between the government1 private industry1 labor1 healthcare1 independent family farmers1 and nonprofit sectors to fight hunger in the ,united ,states2 7#ac7 to bring public attention to the more than #ch1jjj1jjj individuals who live in a ,state that face a constant struggle against hunger1 food insecurity1 and nutrition insecurity2 7#ad7 to review-- 7,a7 the medical1 developmental1 and educational impact of hunger1 food insecurity1 and nutrition insecurity2 7,b7 the potential savings to the ,united ,states health care system1 educational system1 and other sectors when appropriate food is available to the critically and chronically ill2 and 7,c7 the economic opportunities for independent farmers and ranchers to provide healthy food to their communities2 and 7#ae7 to build understanding among individuals who live in a ,state-- 7,a7 of the cost of hunger and nutrition insecurity in the ,united ,states1 including lost wages1 diminished stamina1 and reduced capacity to learn2 and 7,b7 that hunger1 malnutrition1 and food and nutrition insecurity1 in addition to an increasingly consolidated and foreign-owned food and farm supply system1 is a matter of national security4 #e4 ,policy committee and related committees 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than ,june #cj1 #bjbb1 the ,co-chairs shall establish a ,policy ,committee composed of #be members to be appointed as follows3 7#a7 ,presidential appointees ,thirteen members shall be appointed by the ,president and shall include-- 7,a7 the ,presidential ,designee2 7,b7 #b members who are officers or employees of the ,united ,states2 7,c7 #b members who are representatives of the healthcare system2 7,d7 #b members who are farmers or ranchers2 and 7,e7 #f members with experience in addressing the needs of food-insecure and nutrition-insecure individuals who live in a ,state4 7#b7 ,senate appointees 7,a7 ,three members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate1 in consultation with-- 7i7 the chairperson and ranking member of the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2 7ii7 the chairperson and ranking member of the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate2 and 7iii7 the chairperson and ranking member of the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate4 7,b7 ,three members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate1 in consultation with the members of the committees described in clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,house of ,representatives appointees 7,a7 ,three members shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives1 in consultation with-- 7i7 the chairperson and ranking member of the ,committee on ,education and ,labor of the ,house of ,representatives2 7ii7 the chairperson and ranking member of the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7iii7 the chairperson and ranking member of the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives4 7,b7 ,three members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives1 in consultation with the members of the committees described in clauses 7i71 7ii71 and 7iii7 of subparagraph 7,a74 7b7 ,operation of committee 7#a7 ,chairperson 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,presidential ,designee shall serve as the chairperson of the ,policy ,committee4 7,b7 ,voting privilege ,the chairperson may vote only to break a tie vote of the other members of the ,policy ,committee4 7#b7 ,voting 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,policy ,committee shall act by the vote of a majority of the members present4 7,b7 ,quorum ,a quorum of members shall not be required to conduct ,policy ,committee business4 7c7 ,duties of the ,committee 7#a7 ,meetings 7,a7 ,initial meeting ,the ,co-chairs of the ,conference shall hold the first meeting of the ,policy ,committee not later than #cj days after the last member is appointed to the ,committee in accordance with subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,regular meetings ,subsequent meetings of the ,policy ,committee shall be held at the call of the ,co-chairs of the ,conference4 7#b7 ,duties ,through meetings1 hearings1 and working sessions1 the ,policy ,committee shall-- 7,a7 make recommendations to the ,co-chairs to facilitate the timely convening of the ,conference2 7,b7 not later than #ij days after the first meeting of the ,policy ,committee1 prepare and submit to the ,co-chairs a proposed agenda for the ,conference that reflects1 to the greatest extent practicable-- 7i7 the major issues facing the field of food and nutrition2 and 7ii7 the purposes of the ,conference described in section #d7;d72 7,c7 make recommendations with respect to the selection of the delegates to the ,conference2 7,d7 establish the number of delegates to be selected under section #f2 and 7,e7 establish an executive committee that-- 7i7 consists of #c members of the ,policy ,committee1 selected in consultation with the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,rules of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate2 and 7ii7 collaborates with the delegates to the ,conference4 #f4 ,conference delegates ,to carry out the purposes of the ,conference described in section #d7;d71 the ,co-chairs shall appoint delegates who are representative of the spectrum of thought in the field of food and nutrition1 without regard to political affiliation or past partisan activity1 who shall include-- 7#a7 representatives of ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments2 7#b7 individuals working in the field of food1 health1 nutrition1 farming1 and economic security2 and 7#c7 members of the general public who are affected by hunger and nutrition insecurity in the ,united ,states4 #g4 ,conference administration 7a7 ,administration ,in administering this ,act1 the ,co-chairs shall-- 7#a7 not later than #dh hours before the start of a meeting1 hearing1 or working session1 provide written notice to all members of the ,policy ,committee of that meeting1 hearing1 or working session2 7#b7 request the cooperation and assistance of the heads of ,federal departments and agencies as may be appropriate1 including the detailing of personnel from those departments and agencies2 7#c7 make available for public comment the proposed agenda submitted by the ,policy ,committee under section #e7;c77#b77;,b72 7#d7 not later than #cj days after the date on which the proposed agenda is submitted for public comment under paragraph 7#c71 approve that agenda2 and 7#e7 prepare and make available to delegates background materials determined by the ,co-chairs to be necessary4 7b7 ,no compensation ,all members appointed under this ,act shall serve in the roles for which they are appointed without compensation4 7c7 ,duties ,the ,co-chairs shall ensure that-- 7#a7 the proposed agenda prepared under section #e7;c77#b77;,b7 is published in the ,federal ,register not later than #cj days after that agenda is approved under subsection 7a77#d72 7#b7 any employed personnel are fairly balanced with respect to points of views represented and are appointed without regard to political affiliation or previous partisan activities2 7#c7 the recommendations of the ,conference-- 7,a7 are not inappropriately influenced by any special interest2 and 7,b7 are the result of the independent and collective judgment of the delegates to the ,conference2 and 7#d7 not later than #cj days before the ,conference is convened1 the delegates to the ,conference have access to information provided by relevant ,federal agencies that includes-- 7,a7 updated statistical data 7including decennial census data7 and other information on food and nutrition in the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 information necessary to evaluate ,federal programs and policies relating to food and nutrition4 7d7 ,gifts 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,co-chairs may accept1 on behalf of the ,united ,states1 gifts 7in cash or in kind1 including voluntary and uncompensated services71 which shall be available to carry out this ,act4 7#b7 ,additional amount ,gifts of cash shall be available in addition to amounts appropriated to carry out this ,act4 7e7 ,records 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,co-chairs shall maintain records regarding-- 7,a7 the sources1 amounts1 and uses of gifts accepted under subsection 7d72 and 7,b7 the identity of each individual assisting in carrying out this ,act1 and the amount of compensation1 if any1 received by each such individual4 7#b7 ,public availability ,for each gift accepted under subsection 7d71 the records described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be made public not later than #cj days after the date on which the gift is received4 #h4 ,conference report 7a7 ,preliminary report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ajj days after the date on which the ,conference adjourns1 the ,policy ,committee shall prepare a preliminary report on the ,conference1 which shall be-- 7,a7 published in the ,federal ,register2 and 7,b7 submitted to the chief executive officers of each of the ,states4 7#b7 ,views and findings ,the ,policy ,committee shall request that1 not later than #de days after the submission of the report by the ,policy ,committee under paragraph 7#a77;,b71 the chief executive officers of each of the ,states shall submit to the ,policy ,committee views and findings with respect to that report4 7b7 ,final report ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which the ,conference adjourns1 the ,policy ,committee shall-- 7#a7 prepare a final report on the ,conference1 which shall include-- 7,a7 a compilation of the views and findings of the chief executive officers of each of the ,states submitted under subsection 7a77#b72 and 7,b7 recommendations for administrative action and legislation with respect to those views and findings2 and 7#b7 publish in the ,federal ,register1 and transmit to the ,president and to ,congress1 the recommendations described in paragraph 7#a77;,b74 #i4 ,status reports 7a7 ,initial status report ,not later than #b years after the date on which the ,conference adjourns1 the ,presidential ,designee shall-- 7#a7 prepare a status report documenting the implementation of the recommendations contained in the final report described in section #h7;b77#a77;,b72 and 7#b7 publish in the ,federal ,register1 and transmit to the ,president and to ,congress1 that status report4 7b7 ,subsequent status reports ,not later than #e years after the date on which the ,conference adjourns1 and every #b years thereafter for not longer than #aj years1 the ,presidential ,designee shall-- 7#a7 prepare a status report documenting the implementation of the recommendations contained in that final report2 and 7#b7 publish in the ,federal ,register1 and transmit to the ,president and to ,congress1 that status report4 #aj4 ,committee hearings 7a7 ,hearings on reports ,the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,rules of the ,house of ,representatives shall each hold hearings on the recommendations and status reports transmitted to ,congress under sections #h7;b77#b71 #i7;a77#b71 and #i7;b77#b74 7b7 ,hearings on status of hunger1 nutrition security1 and food systems ,the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,rules of the ,house of ,representatives shall each hold annual hearings on the status of hunger1 food and nutrition insecurity1 and resilient food systems in the ,united ,states4 7c7 ,exercise of rulemaking authority ,subsections 7a7 and 7b7 are enacted-- 7#a7 as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the ,senate and the ,house of ,representatives1 and1 as such1 shall be considered as part of the rules of the ,senate or the ,house of ,representatives 7as the case may be71 and such rules shall supersede any other rule of the ,senate or the ,house of ,representatives only to the extent that any such rule is inconsistent therewith2 and 7#b7 with full recognition of the constitutional right of either ,house to change such rules 7so far as relating to the procedure in such ,house7 at any time1 in the same manner1 and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the ,senate or the ,house of ,representatives4 #aa4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,authorization 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated #b1ejj1jjj to carry out this ,act for each of-- 7,a7 the fiscal year in which the ,policy ,committee plans the ,conference and for the following fiscal year2 and 7,b7 the fiscal year in which the ,conference is held4 7#b7 ,limitation ,any new spending authority or new authority to enter into contracts under this ,act1 and under which the ,united ,states is obligated to make outlays1 shall be effective only to the extent1 and in such amounts1 as are provided in advance in appropriation ,acts4 7b7 ,availability of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,funds appropriated to carry out this ,act and funds received as gifts under section #g7;d7 shall remain available for obligation or expenditure for #a year after the date on which the ,conference adjourns4 7#b7 ,unobligated funds ,any funds described in paragraph 7#a7 that are not expended or obligated before the expiration of the #a-year period described in that paragraph shall be returned to the ,united ,states ,treasury4