1)  STATE COMMITTEES

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article IX COMMITTEES be changed to read:

Section 6.  The wording “A Committee of Women’s Activities of five, shall be appointed by the State Master” be changed to read “There shall be a Committee of Family Activities of (at least 3 members but) no more than 5 members appointed by the State Master”; and

The following wording “of five members” in Section 7, Section 8, and Section 10 be changed to read “of (at least 3 members but) no more than 5 members”, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:  Section 11 be changed to read:  “There shall be a Membership Committee consisting of (at least 3 members but) no more than five members consisting of a minimum of one member from each Pomona Grange to be appointed by the State Master, and 

2) RE:  EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE POWERS

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange, through its Legislative Committee, urge the passage of legislation to modify the Emergency Powers Act to limit the length of time of the act to 3 months unless the Legislature meets again to extend the time after the 3 month period.

3)  RE:  SALE OF GRANGE PROPERTY

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the first sentence of Sec. 4.11.1(G) be changed to read:

“When a sale of real property is concluded, the selling Subordinate or Pomona Grange shall account for the net proceeds of the sale received at the time of settlement and shall remit all but the sum of $1,000 $10,000 of such net proceeds or the net proceeds whichever is less to the State Grange having jurisdiction to be held in trust escrow for the said Subordinate or Pomona Grange.”

4) RE:  UTILITY RATE INCREASES

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange encourage the Connecticut General Assembly to never pass legislation that allows for an increase in utility charges, either for generation or delivery, that exceeds 10% of the standard cost of living for that given year, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange present informational programs educating communities it serves on its options for utilities available to them in Connecticut.

5) RE:  DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

RESOLVED the development rights to all farm and forest lands covered by Connecticut Public Act 490, be eligible for purchase by the State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

REFERRED TO THE STATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR REPORT AT NEXT ANNUAL SESSION.

7)  RE:  SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the current $2 for $1 SNAP benefit program offered at farmers’ markets be extended year-round for CT Grown products as a voluntary participation program for any vendor.

8)  RE: OLD AND OLD GROWTH FORESTS

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that old growth forests and remnants on public land be strongly protected and provide a buffer, and older forests be protected to maximize their ability to store carbon and protect biodiversity and become old growth forests in the future.

9) PROCESSING PLANTS

RESOLVED that the CT State Grange support the development of more meat and milk processing plants in CT and that we through our State Legislative Committee urge the State Department of Agriculture to investigate and implement this issue.

10)  RE: MASTER’S ADDRESS

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange thank the State Master for his service to the Connecticut State Grange during the preceding year and commend him for his fine report and leadership.