SSB 3101 (LSB 5232DP (5) 83)

SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP BILL)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to grape and wine development by providing for the elimination of a commission, programs, and duties of the department of agriculture and land stewardship and providing for the transfer of unexpended and unobligated moneys.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  REPEAL.  Chapter 175A, Code 2009, is repealed.
    Sec. 2.  GRAPE AND WINE DEVELOPMENT FUND.  This Act does not affect the expenditure of moneys by the department of agriculture and land stewardship to satisfy any obligations or encumbrances of moneys in the grape and wine development fund created in section 175A.5, if the obligations or encumbrances were incurred prior to the effective date of this Act. Moneys credited to the grape and wine development fund that are unobligated or unencumbered at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, shall be transferred to the wine gallonage tax fund created in section 123.183 in the same manner as a reversion.
EXPLANATION
   This bill eliminates Code provisions promoting grape and wine development. The provisions were established in 2001 by S.F. 524 (2001 Iowa Acts, chapter 162) and codified in Code chapter 175A. The Code chapter provides for a grape and wine development commission housed within the department of agriculture and land stewardship and requires the department to establish grape and wine development programs by assisting persons in establishing, improving, or expanding vineyards or winemaking operations. The Code chapter also includes a grape and wine development fund which was originally supported by moneys derived from the wine gallonage tax (Code section 123.183). The bill provides that unobligated or unencumbered moneys remaining in the grape and wine development fund remaining at the close of the current fiscal year, or any subsequent fiscal year, are transferred to the wine gallonage tax fund which is used by the department of economic development for wine and beer promotion.