H.F. _____ Section 1. Section 175.3, subsection 1, paragraphs a and c, 1 Code 2011, are amended to read as follows: 2 a. The agricultural development authority is established 3 within the department of agriculture and land stewardship. The 4 agency is constituted as a public instrumentality and agency 5 of the state exercising public and essential governmental 6 functions. 7 c. The powers of the authority are vested in and exercised 8 by a board of ten members with nine members appointed by 9 the governor subject to confirmation by the senate. The 10 treasurer of state secretary of agriculture or the treasurer’s 11 secretary’s designee shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting 12 member. No more than five appointed members shall belong to 13 the same political party. As far as possible the governor 14 shall include within the membership persons who represent 15 financial institutions experienced in agricultural lending, the 16 real estate sales industry, farmers, beginning farmers, average 17 taxpayers, local government, soil and water conservation 18 district officials, agricultural educators, and other persons 19 specially interested in family farm development. 20 EXPLANATION 21 This bill amends provisions affecting the agricultural 22 development authority (Code chapter 175), which is organized as 23 an independent self-funding agency charged to provide economic 24 assistance to farmers. The authority is controlled by a 25 board of 10 members, including nine members appointed by the 26 governor and the treasurer of state who serves as an ex officio 27 nonvoting member. 28 The bill provides that the authority is to be housed within 29 the department of agriculture and land stewardship, and the 30 secretary replaces the treasurer of state as the ex officio 31 nonvoting member. 32 -1- LSB 2482YC (2) 84 da/nh 1/ 1