FARMER EQUITY/INNOVATION ACT House SponsorsRep. Sonya M. Harper-Justin Slaughter-Edgar González, Jr.-Mary E. Flowers, Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez, Will Guzzardi, Kelly M. Cassidy and Cyril Nichols Senate Sponsors(Sen. Mattie Hunter, David Koehler and Napoleon Harris, III) 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die New Act Creates the Farmer Equity and Innovation Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, creates the Farmer Equity and Innovation Center at the University of Illinois Extension. Provides that the Farmer Equity and Innovation Center shall: (1) ensure the continued economic viability of small-scale and moderate-scale diversified farms and ranches by creating a coordinated, statewide program to support the operators of those farms and ranches, prioritizing limited resource farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (2) establish a Farmer Equity and Innovation Program administered by the Center; (3) utilize the University of Illinois Small Farm Advisors, and require the University to increase its Small Farm Advisor positions to 6 in number; (4) include applied research on specified subjects concerning farming and ranching in Illinois, outreach regarding those subjects, and informational services on assistance provided by or through the Center or nonprofit organizations designated by the Center; (5) authorize the Program to include special training for new and beginning farmers and ranchers, with priority given to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and (6) conduct a study to determine and issue an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly containing a demographic breakdown of farmers and ranchers who participate in the Program.House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill but eliminates all references to "ranches", "ranchers", and "ranching". 2/15/2023HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper 2/15/2023HouseFirst Reading 2/15/2023HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/28/2023HouseAssigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 3/7/2023HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 005-003-000 3/8/2023HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/15/2023HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 3/15/2023HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 3/15/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez 3/17/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Sonya M. Harper 3/17/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 3/21/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Agriculture & Conservation Committee 3/21/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 006-003-000 3/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter 3/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr. 3/22/2023HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary E. Flowers 3/22/2023HouseChief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Justin Slaughter 3/22/2023HouseChief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Edgar González, Jr. 3/22/2023HouseChief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Mary E. Flowers 3/22/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi 3/23/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy 3/23/2023HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Cyril Nichols 3/23/2023HouseRecalled to Second Reading - Short Debate 3/23/2023HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted by Voice Vote 3/23/2023HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 3/23/2023HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 072-036-000 3/27/2023SenateArrive in Senate 3/27/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 3/27/2023SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner 3/27/2023SenateFirst Reading 3/27/2023SenateReferred to Assignments 4/12/2023SenateAssigned to Appropriations- Education 4/26/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter 4/26/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler 4/26/2023SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris, III 4/28/2023SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 3/14/2024SenateAlternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Mattie Hunter 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die