reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
7 ME Rev Stat § 217 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY|Subchapter 2: FOOD POLICY|7 §217. Hunters for the Hungry Program; acceptance of donations

 §217. Hunters for the Hungry Program; acceptance of donations The department and those recipient agencies participating in the department's food assistance distribution programs may accept wild game meat from persons participating in the Hunters for the Hungry Program established under Title 12, section 10108. The department may facilitate the acceptance of that meat by its recipient agencies through coordination with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and may undertake educational and promotional efforts on behalf of the program.   [PL 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 218 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY|Subchapter 2: FOOD POLICY|7 §218. Farmers' Market Program (REPEALED)

 §218. Farmers' Market Program (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 2005, c. 614, §4 (NEW). PL 2019, c. 677, §10 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 218-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY|Subchapter 2: FOOD POLICY|7 §218-A. Direct producer-to-consumer agriculture market programs

 §218-A. Direct producer-to-consumer agriculture market programs 1.  Education and outreach.  The commissioner shall provide education and outreach for the purpose of supporting Maine foods providers, such as farmers' markets, farm stands, community-supported agriculture programs and other direct producer-to-consumer venues to further the goal established in this chapter.   [PL 2019, c. 677, §11 (NEW).] 2.  Access to Maine foods and food products for recipients of benefits.  The commissioner shall improve access to Maine foods and food products for recipients of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services under Title 22 by:   A. Expanding opportunities for farmers to sell Maine foods and food products to recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by promoting the use of electronic benefits transfer cards at farmers' markets and, in partnership with a statewide federation of farmers' markets, encouraging participation in community-supported agriculture by recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits;   [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §1 (AMD).]B. Assisting farmers' markets in accepting payments through the electronic benefits transfer system by helping them secure equipment, including equipment that does not require the use of electricity, for processing payments through the electronic benefits transfer system; and   [PL 2019, c. 677, §11 (NEW).]C. In partnership with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, educating recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits of the opportunity to use the benefits at farmers' markets and the advantages of such use.   [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §1 (AMD).][PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §1 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2019, c. 677, §11 (NEW). PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. OO, §1 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 219 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY|Subchapter 2: FOOD POLICY|7 §219. Food self-sufficiency

 §219. Food self-sufficiency 1.  Farm labor link network.  The department shall maintain an agricultural jobs network linking farms and facilities processing agricultural products grown in the State with available workers who wish to work on a farm or in a local food industry. An available worker under this subsection may include a person involved in raising, processing, preparing or preserving food or who is required to perform community service as a low-income recipient of state supplemental income benefits or under a court order. The department shall coordinate with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to identify farms and food processing facilities willing to participate in the network and coordinate with the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Department of Corrections and the Judicial Department in identifying available workers willing to participate in the network. If a worker participating in the network wishes to pursue additional training or a career in agriculture or food production, the department shall refer the person to available resources or programs that train workers or develop skills or business practices in farming, food production or food processing. A worker may meet the requirements for community service obligations under a state supplemental income benefits program, judicial order or alternative sentencing program by performing work on a farm or food processing facility through participation in the network under this subsection.   [PL 2015, c. 347, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Educational marketing campaign.  The department shall coordinate with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Maine Community College System, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Economic and Community Development to conduct an educational marketing campaign to promote food self-sufficiency by encouraging the public to grow gardens, raise farm animals, preserve garden-grown food and engage in other local food cultivation initiatives through the use of multiple media including social media, radio advertising, posters, brochures and publicly accessible department websites.   [PL 2015, c. 347, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Local purchases for food programs.  If the department, as part of a public-private partnership, purchases food for an emergency or supplemental food program for elderly or low-income persons, the department to the extent practicable shall purchase food that is grown, harvested, prepared, processed or produced in the State.   [PL 2015, c. 347, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Existing resources.  The department shall use existing programs and resources in carrying out the purposes of this section.   [PL 2015, c. 347, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2015, c. 347, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 219-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY|Subchapter 2: FOOD POLICY|7 §219-A. Reusable containers

 §219-A. Reusable containers The department shall ensure that its rules, established in accordance with the commissioner's rule-making authority in section 12, and guidelines neither preclude business owners from allowing nor require business owners to allow consumers to supply their own containers for the bulk purchase of shelf-stable food and nonfood items. The department shall provide technical assistance and education to business owners and consumers regarding best practices for the use of reusable containers.   [PL 2021, c. 177, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2021, c. 177, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 219-B (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY|Subchapter 2: FOOD POLICY|7 §219-B. Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives

 §219-B. Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives 1.  Fund established.  The Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established in the department to provide incentives to federal food and nutrition assistance program participants for the purchase of locally grown fruits and vegetables and to support outreach for and administration of programs that offer nutrition incentives to participants of federal food and nutrition assistance programs. The fund is established to match contributions from private and public sources of up to $50,000 annually to further the purposes of this section. The fund, to be accounted within the department, must be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts. Eligible investment earnings credited to the assets of the fund become part of the assets of the fund. Any unexpended balances remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year do not lapse and must be carried forward to the next fiscal year. For purposes of this section, "local" means within the State.   [PL 2021, c. 468, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Fund recipients.  An organization based in the State that supports local food producers, local food production or low-income individuals in receiving food and nutrition assistance may receive proceeds from the fund upon application with the department. The department shall prioritize an applicant that has a demonstrated history of incentivizing the use of federal food and nutrition assistance programs to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables or that demonstrates the ability to leverage the proceeds to match or receive additional funds from local, state, federal or private sources. The department shall periodically post a request for applications for eligible organizations to apply for fund proceeds.   [PL 2021, c. 468, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Report; audit.  The department shall require a periodic report from a recipient under subsection 2 detailing the use of fund proceeds and the federal food and nutrition assistance programs involved and to ensure that the funds are expended appropriately pursuant to this section. The department may audit a recipient to carry out the purposes of this subsection.   [PL 2021, c. 468, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Rules.  The department may adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A to carry out the purposes of the fund, including application criteria and procedures for recipients, disbursement of funds to recipients and for outreach and administration purposes and reporting and audit procedures for recipients.   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, §7 (COR).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2021, c. 468, §1 (NEW). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. A, §7 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 220 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 1: ADMINISTRATION|Chapter 8-A: FOOD AND FOOD POLICY|Subchapter 3: LOCAL FOODS PROCUREMENT PROGRAM|7 §220. Local foods procurement program; local foods access (REPEALED)

 §220. Local foods procurement program; local foods access (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 2017, c. 437, §1 (NEW). PL 2019, c. 677, §12 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 401 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §401. Methods and costs

 §401. Methods and costs The commissioner is authorized and directed, through such agents as the commissioner may appoint for the purpose and in cooperation with such agricultural corporations or associations as the commissioner considers proper, to investigate the existing methods and costs of marketing farm products and purchasing farm supplies and to secure improvement therein.   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §60 (COR).]SECTION HISTORY RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §60 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 401-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §401-A. Legislative findings

 §401-A. Legislative findings The Legislature finds that the marketing of agricultural commodities produced in the State is crucial to the maintenance and expansion of the agricultural industry, to the preservation of rural life in the State and to the economic well-being of all of the State's people. There exists a need to provide the necessary market information to enable Maine farmers to make wise short-term and long-term production decisions; to establish standards for proper storage, packing and grading of agricultural products; and to create adequate enforceable programs for quality assurance as well as for the effective coordination of promotion and advertising efforts. In order to ensure that these responsibilities are fulfilled, the Legislature finds it necessary to provide state assistance to agricultural marketing and promotion.   [PL 2005, c. 512, §4 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 512, §4 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 401-B (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §401-B. Responsibilities of the commissioner

 §401-B. Responsibilities of the commissioner To further the purposes of this Part, the commissioner shall initiate and implement programs necessary to facilitate the effective, profitable marketing of Maine agricultural products. For the purposes of this subchapter, the terms "agricultural products" and "farm products" include, but are not limited to, products of aquaculture as defined in Title 12, section 6001, subsection 1. These programs include, but are not limited to, the following.   [PL 2003, c. 660, Pt. A, §1 (AMD).]1.  Research.  The commissioner, in conjunction with the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, shall conduct, assist and foster research to improve the marketing, handling, storage, processing, transportation and distribution of agricultural products in order to develop new and wider markets and reduce distribution costs.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Information to producers.  The commissioner, in conjunction with the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service and other public or private agencies, shall provide producers information regarding current market conditions and such other information as may be needed to maintain quality control and promote quality improvement for Maine agricultural products.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Information to consumers.  The commissioner, in conjunction with the Cooperative Extension Service, shall provide for the dissemination of information to consumers about Maine agricultural products.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Organization.  The commissioner shall aid Maine producers and consumers by assisting cooperative societies of buyers and sellers, encouraging direct marketing and by facilitating the efficient distribution of farm products.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW).] 5.  Coordination and assistance.  The commissioner shall consult with, coordinate and assist producer and dealer organizations and other groups interested in the production, processing and packing, grading, promotion and sale of agricultural goods.   [PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW).] 6.  Monitoring consumption of Maine-produced food.  By November 1, 2000, the commissioner shall develop a method and baseline research to estimate the percentage of food consumed in Maine that is produced within Maine. The commissioner shall update the methodology and estimate every 2 years and include the latest estimate in the biennial report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to section 2, subsection 5.   [PL 1999, c. 769, §3 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 769, §3 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 660, §A1 (AMD).
7 ME Rev Stat § 401-C (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §401-C. Maine Agricultural Promotion Assistance Matching Fund (REPEALED)

 §401-C. Maine Agricultural Promotion Assistance Matching Fund (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 563, §1 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 837, §A17 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 401-D (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §401-D. Agricultural Market Research and Development Fund (REPEALED)

 §401-D. Agricultural Market Research and Development Fund (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 444 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 72, §7 (RP).
7 ME Rev Stat § 402 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §402. Advertising of products

 §402. Advertising of products The commissioner may enter into agreements or cooperative arrangements with any person, firm or corporation for the purpose of advertising and increasing the sale and consumption of Maine farm products or disseminating information concerning Maine farm products. The commissioner may receive, administer and disburse any funds or contributions from these persons, firms or corporations, either independently or in conjunction with state funds allocated to the purpose, as long as funds so contributed are used only for the purposes set forth. The commissioner may employ such agents and assistants, subject to the Civil Service Law, and make such purchases as may be necessary in the proper performance of the commissioner's duties.   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §61 (COR).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1971, c. 608, §1 (AMD). PL 1977, c. 694, §45 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 672, §A15 (RPR). PL 1985, c. 785, §B43 (AMD). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §61 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 402-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §402-A. Agriculture promotion

 §402-A. Agriculture promotion 1.  Agriculture Promotion Committee.   [PL 1995, c. 233, Pt. A, §2 (RP).] 2.  Fund.  There is created a nonlapsing Agriculture Promotion Fund. The commissioner is authorized to accept moneys for this fund from any public or private source and to credit to this fund any moneys received from the sale of agricultural promotional materials.   [PL 1981, c. 705, Pt. I, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Duties of the committee.   [PL 1995, c. 233, Pt. A, §3 (RP).] 4.  Rule-making authority.  The commissioner may adopt such rules as the commissioner considers necessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter including, but not limited to, rules requiring registration of persons wishing to identify products as Maine products under a logo or trademark adopted by the department and requiring verification of the origin of those products.   [RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §62 (COR).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 705, §I1 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 812, §42 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 503, §B40 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 233, §§A2,3 (AMD). RR 2021, c. 1, Pt. B, §62 (COR).
7 ME Rev Stat § 402-B (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §402-B. Annual General Fund transfer

 §402-B. Annual General Fund transfer On or before July 31st of each fiscal year, the State Controller shall transfer $500,000 from General Fund undedicated revenue to the Agriculture Promotion Fund established in section 402-A.   [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. RRRRR, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. RRRRR, §1 (NEW).
7 ME Rev Stat § 403 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1: MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FARM PRODUCTS|7 §403. State of Maine Building at Eastern States Exposition

 §403. State of Maine Building at Eastern States Exposition 1.  State of Maine Building.  The department shall operate and maintain the State of Maine Building, previously erected upon the Eastern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition, Inc., at West Springfield, Massachusetts, for the purpose of exhibiting, publicizing and advertising Maine's products and resources in agriculture, industry, fisheries, forests, wildlife and recreation. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the department has complete control and supervision of all exhibits held in these buildings.   [RR 2009, c. 2, §5 (COR).] 2.  Advice.  From time to time, the department shall consult regarding operation and maintenance of the building with, and for any major exhibition shall prior to the exhibition develop a plan after a public hearing and obtain advice on the proposed use of building space from, the following persons: The Commissioner of Marine Resources; Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; and Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.   [PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. B, §§1, 23 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV).] 3.  Advisory board.   [PL 1987, c. 786, §10 (RP).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1973, c. 574, §1 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 461 (AMD). PL 1981, c. 335, §§1,2 (RPR). PL 1983, c. 812, §43 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 534, §§B1,B23 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 786, §10 (AMD). RR 2009, c. 2, §5 (COR). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV).
7 ME Rev Stat § 411 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-A: DIRECT MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES|7 §411. Definitions

 §411. Definitions As used in this subchapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings.   [PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW).]1.  Commissioner.  "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.   [PL 1979, c. 731, §19 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV).] 2.  Direct-marketing.  "Direct-marketing" means the marketing of agricultural commodities by farmers directly to consumers.   [PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 731, §19 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §6 (REV).
7 ME Rev Stat § 412 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 7: AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS|Part 2: MARKETING, GRADING AND LABELING|Chapter 101: GENERAL PROVISIONS|Subchapter 1-A: DIRECT MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES|7 §412. Research and preparation of information

 §412. Research and preparation of information The commissioner shall research and prepare information designed to develop and promote direct-marketing. The commissioner shall consult with the farm community, with the faculty of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture of the University of Maine and with the various county extension agents in compiling information under this section. The information must include, but not be limited to, the following:   [PL 2013, c. 65, §1 (AMD).]1.  Description and evaluation.  A description and evaluation of the various methods of direct-marketing, such as farmers' markets, roadside stands and sales to consumer cooperative;   [PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW).] 2.  Practical information.  Prepare practical information concerning the establishment and operation of various methods of direct-marketing, including promotion, advertisement, management, food stamp purchases and liability insurance;   [PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW).] 3.  Survey.  A survey, by county, of the present demand for agricultural commodities to enable farmers to plan future production in closer accord with marketing demands;   [PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW).] 4.  Feasibility study.  A study of the feasibility of direct-marketing to institutions, such as hospitals and schools; and   [PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW).] 5.  List of farmers.  A list of the names and addresses of all Maine farmers and of the agricultural commodities which each produces.   [PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1977, c. 505 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 779, §33 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 65, §1 (AMD).