HF 2210 (LSB 5798HH (6) 85)

HOUSE FILE 2210

BY  H. MILLER, PRICHARD, STUTSMAN, MURPHY, WOLFE, ANDERSON, WOOD, RUFF, MUHLBAUER, HALL, GRASSLEY, THEDE, KEARNS, OURTH, STECKMAN, HANSON, MASCHER, GASKILL, KAJTAZOVIC, ABDUL-SAMAD, COHOON, LENSING, WINCKLER, WESSEL-KROESCHELL, GAINES, FORBES, OLDSON, RIDING, JACOBY, DUNKEL, BERRY, S. OLSON, HEIN, R. OLSON, BAUDLER, DRAKE, ISENHART, and COWNIE

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the establishment of an urban-ag academy under the board of regents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  262.101  Agriculture and urban economies —— legislative intent.

   The general assembly recognizes that state legislative bodies in Iowa and across the country are becoming more urban and inclusive of more minority groups, and many policy discussions concern the differences between urban and rural interests. Both rural and urban districts stand to reap enormous benefits from increased understanding of the benefits of agriculture for urban economies and the issues faced by rural constituencies. Therefore, the general assembly encourages the board of regents, through its three state universities, to conduct a national urban-ag academy once a year to give state legislators in Iowa and around the country an opportunity to expand their knowledge of agricultural and rural policy issues, so that, they too, may engage in effective public policymaking.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  262.102  National urban-ag academy.
   1.  To the extent practicable and contingent upon available funding, the board of regents, through the institutions under the board’s control, may annually conduct a national urban-ag academy to update, inform, and enhance the knowledge of state legislative policymakers around the country regarding agricultural issues and concerns. 
   2.  The purpose of the academy is to create a forum for interactive problem solving and the exchange of ideas related to agriculture, animal production, energy, conservation, agricultural education, and new technologies. The goal of the academy shall be to bring urban, minority, and rural legislators and other policymakers together with experts in agriculture, rural development, and other relevant areas, to create opportunities for all legislators to be fully informed concerning issues and policy initiatives relating to the agricultural sector. 
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill encourages the board of regents to conduct an annual urban-ag academy to provide opportunities for urban, minority, and rural legislators and policymakers to meet with experts in agriculture, rural development, and other similar areas to create opportunities for legislators to be fully informed concerning agricultural issues. 
   Establishment of the academy is contingent on available funding.