House File 208 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 208 BY H. MILLER A BILL FOR An Act creating a committee to provide for greater 1 collaboration between urban and rural communities. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 2239HH (2) 85 da/nh
H.F. 208 Section 1. URBAN-RURAL DIALOGUE COMMITTEE. 1 1. An urban-rural dialogue committee is established to 2 improve urban, including suburban, and rural communities in 3 this state by providing for collaborative efforts. 4 2. The committee shall study existing programs administered 5 by state agencies which benefit one type of community, but 6 which could be revised or administered differently to benefit 7 both types of communities. The committee shall also study 8 methods to improve awareness, understanding, and communication 9 between urban and rural communities, including but not limited 10 to how soil and water conservation practices, pollution control 11 measures, and flood control measures may be better implemented 12 by urban residents. 13 3. The committee shall be chaired by the secretary of 14 agriculture or a designee. The committee shall also include 15 the following members: 16 a. The director of the department of natural resources, or 17 the director’s designee. 18 b. The president of Iowa state university or the president’s 19 designee. 20 c. Three persons appointed by the secretary of agriculture 21 who are rural residents, including two persons who are actively 22 engaged in farming. 23 d. Two persons appointed by the secretary of agriculture who 24 are urban residents. 25 4. A public member is entitled to receive reimbursement for 26 actual expenses incurred while engaged in the performance of 27 official duties under this section. However, a member of the 28 committee is not eligible to receive compensation as provided 29 in section 7E.6. 30 5. The committee shall submit a report to the general 31 assembly not later than January 1, 2014. The report shall 32 include findings and recommendations, including proposals for 33 legislation and administrative rules. 34 EXPLANATION 35 -1- LSB 2239HH (2) 85 da/nh 1/ 2
H.F. 208 The bill establishes an urban-rural dialogue committee to 1 improve urban, including suburban, and rural communities by 2 providing for collaborative efforts, including by reviewing 3 existing programs administered by state agencies and by 4 studying methods to improve awareness, understanding, and 5 communication between the different types of communities. The 6 committee includes state agency representatives, including 7 the department of agriculture and land stewardship, the 8 department of natural resources, and Iowa state university, 9 and public members representing urban and rural communities. 10 The committee must submit a report to the general assembly by 11 January 1, 2014. 12 -2- LSB 2239HH (2) 85 da/nh 2/ 2