This past Thursday February 2, the Indiana Senate Commerce & Technology Committee passed SB 77 authored by Sen. Jon Ford and co-authored by Sen. Jim Merritt and Sen. Tim Lanane. SB 77 codifies the definition of a micro market which protects the investment of all members operating in the rapidly emerging micro market segment of our industry. Micro markets have been allowed to exist in Indiana as the result of a “Governance Document” negotiated between the Indiana Department of Health and the IRPA, which was the IVC at that time. The ISDH has been very cooperative with the IRPA, but the Governance Document is nothing more than a “gentleman’s agreement” that could be rescinded at any time. A governance document does not have the force of law (either statutory or rule) and the amount of investment in micro markets has grown too large to leave to chance.
Sen. Ford introduced the bill followed by testimony from Jeff Snyder - President of IRPA, explaining the micro market concept and the importance of the legislation. There was no testimony in opposition and the committee voted 6 – 0 in favor of the bill.
"We believe we may be the first state to legislate the operation and provide a legal description of the unstaffed micro-market concept," offered Steve Beebe Lobbyist and Executive Director for the IRPA. "The implications and ramifications for having the micro-markets legally defined provide opportunities and guidelines for other states to follow suit and protect this extremely valuable new business model for our Industry", chimed in Snyder. IRPA is not at the finish line with this issue, as it must pass the full Senate and then move over to the House of Representatives and the 6-0 committee vote will go far in the minds of other Legislators
For any questions or concerns feel free to contact Jeff Snyder - IRPA President at jeff.snyder@snyderfoodservices.com or Steve Beebe - Lobbyist and IRPA Executive Director at sbeebe@the lobbyfirm.com
