Text: HF00303 Text: HF00305 Text: HF00300 - HF00399 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 258B.1 STATEWIDE ENVIRONMENTAL 1 2 EDUCATION STRATEGY. 1 3 1. It is in the interest of the citizens of Iowa that a 1 4 comprehensive environmental education initiative be undertaken 1 5 that will result in environmentally literate and responsible 1 6 citizens who will effectively and constructively solve 1 7 existing environmental problems, prevent new environmental 1 8 problems, and maintain a sustainable environment for future 1 9 Iowans. A healthy economy is intimately linked to a healthy 1 10 environment. The appropriate audiences for environmental 1 11 education include both formal and nonformal audiences, 1 12 business, labor, governments, nonprofit entities, and 1 13 citizens. 1 14 2. The goal of this initiative is to assure that Iowans 1 15 are environmentally literate. An environmentally literate 1 16 citizen is committed to lifelong learning and understands the 1 17 following: 1 18 a. Basic principles of ecology, sociology, and economics. 1 19 b. The interconnection of all parts of the environment. 1 20 c. The environmental and social costs and benefits of 1 21 consumer decisions. 1 22 d. Sources of energy, the improving of energy efficiency, 1 23 and the relationships between energy use and lifestyle. 1 24 e. The implications of economic and population trends. 1 25 f. The impacts of personal life styles and personal 1 26 choices. 1 27 g. The importance of acting in a sustainable and 1 28 constructive manner to protect the quality and diversity of 1 29 the natural world. 1 30 3. An office of environmental education, an interagency 1 31 environmental education committee, state and county 1 32 environmental education plans, preschool-to-adult 1 33 environmental education programs, environmental education 1 34 assistance, and a grants program shall be established to 1 35 achieve the goal of accomplishing this initiative. For 2 1 purposes of this chapter, "nonformal education" means 2 2 education which takes place outside of the formal, educational 2 3 classroom setting. 2 4 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 258B.2 OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL 2 5 EDUCATION. 2 6 1. An office of environmental education is established and 2 7 administratively attached to the department of education. The 2 8 full-time supervisor of the office shall be an experienced 2 9 environmental educator. The office shall be staffed by 2 10 appropriately trained personnel. 2 11 2. The office of environmental education shall do all of 2 12 the following: 2 13 a. Develop and publish a plan for environmental education 2 14 with assistance from the interagency environmental education 2 15 committee. 2 16 b. Accept, review, and approve county plans for 2 17 environmental education and administer the allocation of funds 2 18 to the county conservation boards provided for under section 2 19 258B.5. 2 20 c. Assess the status of environmental literacy of the 2 21 state's students, teachers, and citizens every four years. 2 22 d. Review the state's plan for environmental education 2 23 every four years with the assistance of the interagency 2 24 environmental education committee, revise the plan as needed, 2 25 and transmit the plan to the governor and the general 2 26 assembly. 2 27 e. Establish guidelines and specific criteria for the 2 28 grants program provided for in section 258B.4. 2 29 f. Administer the environmental education grants program. 2 30 g. Promote and aid in the establishment and evaluation of 2 31 school environmental education programs for preschool through 2 32 grade twelve. 2 33 h. Promote the development of environmental education 2 34 initiatives and programs for the adult population. 2 35 i. Cooperate with federal and state agencies and the 3 1 private sector in developing, promoting, and evaluating 3 2 environmental education programs. 3 3 j. Promote the development of cooperative environmental 3 4 education initiatives with the private sector. 3 5 k. Facilitate and encourage formal and nonformal 3 6 environmental education programs; facilitate, encourage, and 3 7 support multi-school districts' cooperative efforts to assess 3 8 the need for, develop, and evaluate environmental education 3 9 curricula, promote state government and private sector policy 3 10 that is consistent with the environmental education plan 3 11 established in this legislation, and assist in the 3 12 coordination of formal and nonformal environmental education 3 13 with the kindergarten through grade twelve and postsecondary 3 14 environmental education programs. 3 15 l. Initiate research on environmental education as called 3 16 for in the environmental education plan by issuing contracts 3 17 to organizations, colleges, universities, and other research- 3 18 based institutions. 3 19 m. Coordinate environmental education conferences to 3 20 assist in the dissemination, development, and achievement of 3 21 the state's environmental education plan. 3 22 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 258B.3 INTERAGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL 3 23 EDUCATION COMMITTEE. 3 24 1. An interagency environmental education committee is 3 25 established. The committee shall be composed of individuals 3 26 with knowledge in environmental education and the members 3 27 shall be employees appointed by each agency head. These 3 28 agencies may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the 3 29 departments of agriculture and land stewardship, cultural 3 30 affairs, education, economic development, human services, 3 31 natural resources, public health, and transportation, the 3 32 state board of regents, and the attorney general's office. 3 33 The chair shall be elected by the members. 3 34 2. Members of the committee shall serve as environmental 3 35 education coordinators for their respective agencies. They 4 1 shall direct an assessment of their own agency's target 4 2 audiences and develop appropriate programs to educate these 4 3 audiences regarding environmental issues. The committee shall 4 4 establish subcommittees as needed and assist with the 4 5 development and implementation of the state's environmental 4 6 education plan. 4 7 3. The committee shall develop and maintain a memorandum 4 8 of understanding to specify methods by which the agencies can 4 9 share their resources to benefit environmental education in 4 10 the state. 4 11 4. The committee shall promote networking, coordination, 4 12 and cooperation among state agencies, promote the efficient 4 13 distribution of information, and facilitate the planning and 4 14 development of educational programs and materials. The 4 15 department of education is responsible for convening and 4 16 facilitating the functions of the committee. 4 17 5. Members of the committee are not eligible to receive 4 18 any separate compensation and are not eligible for 4 19 reimbursement of expenses from the committee. 4 20 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 258B.4 GRANTS PROGRAM. 4 21 An environmental education grants program is established in 4 22 order to accomplish the goals set forth in section 258B.1. 4 23 Guidelines established by the office of environmental 4 24 education shall include, but are not limited to, a requirement 4 25 that grant proposals conform with county and state 4 26 environmental education plans. The department of education 4 27 shall administer the environmental education grant program. A 4 28 grant proposal affecting a single county shall be submitted to 4 29 and receive the approval of that county's environmental 4 30 education committee prior to submission to the department of 4 31 education. A grant proposal affecting more than one county or 4 32 the entire state shall be submitted directly to the department 4 33 of education. 4 34 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 258B.5 ASSISTANCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL 4 35 EDUCATION – APPROPRIATION. 5 1 1. Financial assistance shall be administered by the 5 2 office of environmental education of the department of 5 3 education, and shall be provided to county conservation boards 5 4 to support the hiring of professional environmental educators 5 5 to assist schools and nonformal education sectors in planning 5 6 and leading environmental education programs. The financial 5 7 assistance shall be used to provide staff and equipment for 5 8 these programs and shall not be used for the construction or 5 9 maintenance of parks, buildings, or other physical facilities. 5 10 The financial assistance shall not replace existing county 5 11 moneys budgeted for environmental education. Financial 5 12 assistance shall be provided as follows: 5 13 a. Within thirty days of receipt of a county conservation 5 14 board's environmental education plan, pursuant to subsection 5 15 2, the sum of ten thousand one hundred dollars shall be 5 16 allocated to the county conservation board for use in 5 17 implementing the board's environmental education plan. One 5 18 million one hundred thousand dollars shall be divided among 5 19 eligible counties on a population-based formula detailed in 5 20 paragraphs "b" through "d". 5 21 b. A county shall be declared eligible if the county 5 22 submits certification that the county will do both of the 5 23 following: 5 24 (1) Provide county funding or support equivalent to one 5 25 cent per thousand dollars of the assessed value of taxable 5 26 property in the county or thirty-five thousand dollars, 5 27 whichever is less, according to a formula outlined in 5 28 paragraph "c", for environmental education. 5 29 (2) Explain how the financial assistance will be spent for 5 30 environmental education. 5 31 c. In order to meet county funding or support 5 32 requirements, county conservation boards may include the 5 33 dollar equivalent of the following county support: 5 34 (1) Salaries and benefits for all full-time and part-time 5 35 naturalists, environmental education coordinators, 6 1 environmental program specialists, and other positions whose 6 2 responsibilities lie solely within the county conservation 6 3 board's environmental education program. 6 4 (2) For staff positions involving some responsibilities 6 5 outside the environmental education program, such as a ranger, 6 6 a percentage of the salary and benefits equal to that portion 6 7 of time devoted specifically to the environmental education 6 8 program. 6 9 (3) Operation and maintenance, but not purchase, of a 6 10 county vehicle designated to be used specifically by the 6 11 environmental education program staff. 6 12 (4) Funds budgeted specifically for the environmental 6 13 education program, including, but not limited to: program 6 14 supplies, office supplies, telephone and communications, 6 15 uniforms, newsletters and other public relations tools, 6 16 publicity, library and resource materials, printing or 6 17 purchase of environmental and conservation education resource 6 18 materials, travel, and professional development workshops and 6 19 conferences. 6 20 The costs of construction or maintenance of parks, 6 21 buildings, or any physical facilities shall not be used to 6 22 meet the county funding or support requirements. 6 23 d. Counties declared eligible shall receive financial 6 24 assistance under this section according to the following 6 25 formula: official population figure of the county according 6 26 to the most recent federal decennial census times forty cents. 6 27 e. In order to fulfill the county funding or support 6 28 requirements of this section, county conservation boards may 6 29 contract with private nature centers, camps, or other private 6 30 or public entities to provide these environmental education 6 31 services. The boards shall submit an annual report to the 6 32 office of environmental education demonstrating and certifying 6 33 the proper use of these funds. 6 34 f. The focus of this financial assistance shall be, but is 6 35 not limited to: helping teachers, group leaders, and other 7 1 environmental educators to plan, develop, and implement 7 2 environmental education programs, including leading outdoor 7 3 environmental education classes for all ages and for both 7 4 formal and nonformal educational groups; providing program 7 5 resources such as environmental education activity guides and 7 6 curricula, learning kits, audiovisual materials, literature, 7 7 and equipment; and interpreting Iowa's natural and cultural 7 8 resources and how to use them wisely. 7 9 2. To receive funds under this section, a county shall 7 10 establish a county environmental education committee. The 7 11 county conservation board shall be responsible for the 7 12 establishment and membership of the committee. Members shall 7 13 include, but are not limited to, representatives from soil and 7 14 water conservation districts, local schools, conservation 7 15 groups, and business and industry groups with established 7 16 interests in environmental education. Responsibilities of the 7 17 committee shall include, but are not limited to, the 7 18 following: 7 19 a. Establishing operating rules for the committee. 7 20 b. Developing and submitting to the county conservation 7 21 board annual eligibility reports. 7 22 c. Developing and submitting the county environmental 7 23 education plan to the office of environmental education. The 7 24 plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the 7 25 following: 7 26 (1) Long-term goals for environmental education in the 7 27 county and an outline of the relationship of the plan to the 7 28 goal of achieving environmental literacy. 7 29 (2) A description of the manner in which the plan utilizes 7 30 existing professional environmental education personnel, 7 31 programs, and facilities. 7 32 (3) An outline of the resources needed to achieve plan 7 33 goals, including sufficient professional educators to meet a 7 34 target of one full-time equivalent environmental educator for 7 35 every three thousand to four thousand kindergarten through 8 1 grade twelve students in the county. 8 2 (4) Letters of support for the plan from the members of 8 3 the county environmental education committee. 8 4 The plan shall be reviewed and accordingly revised every 8 5 four years in coordination with a state assessment of 8 6 environmental literacy provided for in section 258B.2. 8 7 d. Facilitating communication among all parties active in 8 8 environmental education in the county to maximize the use of 8 9 local resources. 8 10 e. Reviewing and commenting on grants proposals submitted 8 11 to the office of environmental education pursuant to section 8 12 258B.4. 8 13 3. There is appropriated from the general fund of the 8 14 state to the department of education for each fiscal year the 8 15 sum of one million dollars for the purpose of providing 8 16 financial assistance for environmental education as provided 8 17 in subsection 1. 8 18 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 258B.6 RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL 8 19 EDUCATION PROGRAMS – APPROPRIATION. 8 20 1. A residential environmental education program is 8 21 created to recognize the critical role that both direct 8 22 experience with the outdoors and a several-day residential 8 23 experience away from the home and formal school environment 8 24 play in the formation of an environmentally literate 8 25 citizenry. 8 26 2. Phase I of the program shall provide supplemental 8 27 funding of thirty-five dollars per pupil to school districts 8 28 that choose to provide for the attendance of the pupils in one 8 29 grade level at a certified residential environmental education 8 30 center. To receive this funding, school districts must 8 31 provide proof of attendance by their pupils at such a center 8 32 and participation by pupils in a certified program for a 8 33 minimum of two consecutive days for each pupil. In addition, 8 34 school districts shall submit evidence of matching 8 35 contributions of at least fifty percent of the total program 9 1 cost. Local school districts shall choose the grade level and 9 2 the time of year they feel is most developmentally appropriate 9 3 for this residential experience. 9 4 3. Phase II of the program shall consist of all of the 9 5 following: 9 6 a. Development of certification criteria for facilities, 9 7 staff, and programs. 9 8 b. Census of existing facilities, staff, and programs 9 9 relative to the certification criteria. 9 10 c. Assessment of the needs of these facilities. 9 11 4. The program shall be administered by the office of 9 12 environmental education. 9 13 5. There is appropriated from the general fund of the 9 14 state to the department of education for each fiscal year, the 9 15 sum of three hundred fifty thousand dollars for the purposes 9 16 of phase I of the residential environmental education program 9 17 as provided in subsection 2. 9 18 Sec. 7. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. There is appropriated 9 19 from the general fund of the state to the department of 9 20 education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and 9 21 ending June 30, 1998, the following amount, or so much thereof 9 22 as is necessary, to be used for the purpose designated: 9 23 OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 9 24 For salaries, support, maintenance, miscellaneous purposes, 9 25 and for not more than the following full-time equivalent 9 26 positions: 9 27 .................................................. $ 600,000 9 28 ................................................ FTE 2.00 9 29 EXPLANATION 9 30 This bill establishes an environmental education strategy 9 31 for the state of Iowa. The bill also establishes and funds a 9 32 state office of environmental education for all of Iowa's 9 33 citizens from preschoolers to adults. The office is 9 34 administratively attached to the department of education to 9 35 establish and coordinate a plan for the state. The office is 10 1 to coordinate with federal and state agencies and the private 10 2 sector in developing and implementing environmental education 10 3 strategies. The bill appropriates $600,000 from the general 10 4 fund to fund the office for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 10 5 1997. A grants program is also established to be administered 10 6 by the department of education. 10 7 An interagency environmental education committee is 10 8 established to coordinate efforts among state agencies to 10 9 promote and assist in providing environmental education 10 10 programs in the state. 10 11 An assistance program is established and the bill creates a 10 12 $1 million standing appropriation to provide assistance for 10 13 county conservation boards. The bill provides a formula for 10 14 determining the eligibility of each county board. 10 15 The bill also appropriates $350,000 to reimburse a school 10 16 district on a per pupil basis when the school district permits 10 17 pupils from one grade level to spend two or more consecutive 10 18 days at a certified residential environmental education 10 19 center. 10 20 LSB 1422HH 77 10 21 kh/jw/5
Text: HF00303 Text: HF00305 Text: HF00300 - HF00399 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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