H.F. 2048 Section 1. Section 455A.19, subsection 1, paragraph b, 1 subparagraph (5), Code 2009, is amended to read as follows: 2 (5) (a) Funds allocated pursuant to subparagraphs (2) and 3 (3) shall only be allocated to counties dedicating property 4 tax revenue at least equal to twenty-two cents per thousand 5 dollars of the assessed value of taxable property in the county 6 to county conservation purposes. State funds received under 7 this paragraph shall not reduce or replace county tax revenues 8 appropriated for county conservation purposes. The county 9 auditor shall submit documentation annually of the dedication 10 of property tax revenue for county conservation purposes. The 11 annual audit of the financial transactions and condition of 12 a county shall certify compliance with requirements of this 13 subparagraph. Funds not allocated to counties not qualifying 14 for the allocations under subparagraph (2) as a result of this 15 subparagraph shall be held in reserve for each county for two 16 years. Counties qualifying within two years may receive the 17 funds held in reserve. Funds not spent by a county within two 18 years shall revert to the general pool of county funds for 19 reallocation to other counties where needed. 20 (b) Notwithstanding subparagraph division (a), the natural 21 resource commission may, in its discretion, allow funds 22 to be allocated pursuant to subparagraphs (2) and (3) to 23 counties that do not dedicate property tax revenue to county 24 conservation purposes, as the commission deems appropriate. 25 EXPLANATION 26 This bill allows the natural resource commission to 27 exercise its discretion to allow funds from the Iowa resources 28 enhancement and protection fund (REAP) to be allocated to 29 a county conservation account even if the county does not 30 dedicate property tax revenue to county conservation purposes. 31 Currently, such REAP funds can only be allocated to counties 32 that allocate property tax revenue at least equal to 22 cents 33 per $1,000 of the assessed value of taxable property in the 34 county to county conservation purposes. 35 -1- LSB 5507YH (2) 83 av/nh 1/ 1