WHEREAS, there has been a national trend of increased agricultural exports from 2009 until present as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, this trend is projected to continue into the foreseeable future; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Port of Wilmington states that it strives "to contribute to Delaware's economic vitality by sustaining and promoting the Port of Wilmington as a competitive and viable full service, multi-modal operation by providing for the efficient, economical, and safe handling of cargo;" and

WHEREAS, the Port of Wilmington successfully handles more than 400 vessels and 5 million tons of cargo annually; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Wilmington is the primary national terminal for importing several products including fresh fruits and juice; and

WHEREAS, the Port has a very active export program including commercial cargo, vehicles, scrap metal, and livestock which accounts for approximately 20% of the total tonnage volume; and

WHEREAS, the Port has handled certain agricultural exports on a limited basis in the past including frozen chicken and organic corn; and

WHEREAS, expanding the export operations at the Port to include agricultural products would require a detailed analysis to determine if the Port has the capacity to accommodate such an expansion; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Delaware General Assembly to establish a Port of Wilmington Exports Task Force with the special duty of studying the costs and benefits of introducing agricultural exports to the Port's operations and make recommendations to the General Assembly,

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that a Port of Wilmington Exports Task Force (hereinafter referred to as Task Force) is hereby established, consisting of the following members:

1. A member of the House Majority Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

2. A member of the House Minority Caucus, appointed by the House Minority Leader;

3. A member of the Senate Majority Caucus, appointed by the President pro tempore;

4. A member of the Senate Minority Caucus, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

5. The Secretary of State or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

6. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

7. The Secretary of the Department of Labor or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

8. The Secretary of Department of Transportation or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

9. The Secretary of Department of Finance or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

10. The Director of the Economic Development Office or designee appointed by the Director;

11. A representative of the State Chamber of Commerce; and

12. A member of the public appointed by the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint a co-chairperson and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate appoint a co-chairperson.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairpersons set the date, time, and place for the initial meeting and ask the leadership of each of the following organizations to designate a representative from each organization to serve on the Task Force:

1. Teamsters Local Union No. 326 at Diamond State Port Corporation;

2. Diamond State Port Corporation;

3. The regional rail industry;

4. Delaware Farm Bureau; and

5. Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the staff of the chairpersons assist the Task Force.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall issue a report identifying any potential prospects for increasing agricultural imports and exports at the Port of Wilmington. This report should include potential beneficial economic impacts of the identified opportunities, funding and staffing requirement, time needed for implementation, and any anticipated action the General Assembly may need to take. This report shall be submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate no later than January 15, 2016, with a copy to the Governor and to the Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council and to the Delaware Public Archives.

SPONSOR:	Rep. Spiegelman & Rep. Carson & Sen. Ennis;
	Reps. D. Short, Gray, Wilson, Yearick, Paradee; Sens. Henry, Richardson