177CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION177.1Recognition of organization.The organization existing in and incorporated under the laws of this state and known as the Iowa crop improvement association shall be entitled to the benefits of this chapter.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2939; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §177.1]2008 Acts, ch 1096, §1177.1ADefinitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:1“Association” means the Iowa crop improvement association recognized in section 177.1.2“Department” means the department of agriculture and land stewardship.2008 Acts, ch 1096, §2177.2Powers and purposes.The Iowa crop improvement association shall have all powers necessary to carry out the following purposes:1Act as the official seed certifying agency for Iowa as provided by rules adopted by the department.2Adopt procedures for conducting seed and plant stock certification and planting stock quality assurance, pursuant to rules adopted by the department.3Provide educational and leadership opportunities to influence public policy regarding crop improvement.4Conduct, in cooperation with Iowa state university college of agriculture and life sciences, testing and disseminate information regarding the adaptation and performance of crop cultivars.5Coordinate all Iowa crop improvement association activities in a manner that is consistent with environmentally sound agricultural practices.6Provide a mechanism for commodity identity preservation.7Engage in such other activities that are reasonably connected to the purposes of this section.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2940; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §177.2]87 Acts, ch 225, §204; 2008 Acts, ch 1096, §3; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §71177.3Board of directors.The Iowa crop improvement association shall be governed by a board of directors.1The association’s articles of incorporation or bylaws shall provide for all of the following:aThe organization of the board, its procedures for meeting and voting, and the election of its board members and officers.bThe business of the association, which shall be transacted as provided in this chapter.2The board shall include all of the following members:aThe secretary of agriculture or the secretary’s designee.bThe following persons representing the college of agriculture and life sciences at Iowa state university:1The director of the agricultural experiment station.2The chair of the agronomy department.3The director of the seed science center.cSix persons elected by the association’s voting shareholders from among its voting shareholders.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2941; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §177.3]87 Acts, ch 115, §30; 2008 Acts, ch 1096, §4; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §72177.4Employees.The Iowa crop improvement association may employ one or more competent persons to carry out the provisions of this chapter as directed by the association’s board of directors. The board may employ an executive director. A person employed by the board shall receive compensation and necessary expenses incurred while engaged in the business of the association as provided by its board of directors.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2942; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §177.4]2008 Acts, ch 1096, §5177.5Expenses of officers.A member of the board of directors or officer of the Iowa crop improvement association other than the executive director appointed pursuant to section 177.4 shall serve without compensation. However, a member of the board of directors or officer may receive necessary expenses while engaged in the business of the association pursuant to section 7E.6, as determined by the board.[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2943; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §177.5]2008 Acts, ch 1096, §6