The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recently advanced three bills that would support the food supply chain and allow agriculture-related businesses to reopen safely during the COVID-19 emergency.
House Bill 2429 would direct the Department of Community and Economic Development to issue waivers allowing lawn and garden equipment and supply stores to reopen, and House Bill 2436 would allow a waiver to be issued for pet groomers to reopen.
The businesses would be required to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
In addition, House Bill 2435 would create a Food Processing Plant Reimbursement Program that would help food processing plants pay for personal protective equipment and frequent cleanings.
“At a time when people are struggling financially and there are weaknesses in the food supply chain, our citizens should not be denied the opportunity to grow their own food to feed their families,” Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), committee chairman, said. “The governor’s business closure order deemed garden centers non-essential, but big box stores that also sell ‘essential’ supplies have continued to sell garden products. The order put our small businesses in many sectors at a disadvantage when their smaller-scale operations would be more conducive to public health and safety guidelines.”
The bills move to the full House for consideration.