HF 2048 (LSB 5507YH (2) 83)

HOUSE FILE 2048

BY  MAY

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the allocation of Iowa resources enhancement and protection funds to certain county conservation accounts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 455A.19, subsection 1, paragraph b, subparagraph (5), Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   (5)  (a)  Funds allocated pursuant to subparagraphs (2) and (3) shall only be allocated to counties dedicating property tax revenue at least equal to twenty-two cents per thousand dollars of the assessed value of taxable property in the county to county conservation purposes. State funds received under this paragraph shall not reduce or replace county tax revenues appropriated for county conservation purposes. The county auditor shall submit documentation annually of the dedication of property tax revenue for county conservation purposes. The annual audit of the financial transactions and condition of a county shall certify compliance with requirements of this subparagraph. Funds not allocated to counties not qualifying for the allocations under subparagraph (2) as a result of this subparagraph shall be held in reserve for each county for two years. Counties qualifying within two years may receive the funds held in reserve. Funds not spent by a county within two years shall revert to the general pool of county funds for reallocation to other counties where needed.
   (b)  Notwithstanding subparagraph division (a), the natural resource commission may, in its discretion, allow funds to be allocated pursuant to subparagraphs (2) and (3) to counties that do not dedicate property tax revenue to county conservation purposes, as the commission deems appropriate.
EXPLANATION
   This bill allows the natural resource commission to exercise its discretion to allow funds from the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund (REAP) to be allocated to a county conservation account even if the county does not dedicate property tax revenue to county conservation purposes. Currently, such REAP funds can only be allocated to counties that allocate property tax revenue at least equal to 22 cents per $1,000 of the assessed value of taxable property in the county to county conservation purposes.