Senate Study Bill 1287 - Introduced SENATE FILE _____ BY (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS BILL BY CHAIRPERSON DVORSKY) A BILL FOR An Act relating to cultural affairs and economic development 1 by establishing an Iowa next program and fund to assist 2 communities in community enhancement projects, creating 3 a sports tourism program, modifying certain economic 4 development authority and department of cultural affairs 5 programs, eliminating the vision Iowa program and the 6 great places program and fund, making appropriations, and 7 including transition provisions. 8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 9 TLSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj
S.F. _____ Section 1. PURPOSE AND INTENT. 1 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Iowa 2 Next Act”. 3 2. The purpose of the Act is to coordinate and streamline 4 state government programs related to community attractions and 5 tourism and to invest in prioritized quality of life projects 6 that provide resources to assist communities in planning, 7 development, creation, improvement, and promotion of cultural 8 and recreational amenities, opportunities, and programs that 9 serve residents and visitors and enhance the quality of life 10 in Iowa. 11 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION . 304.101 Definitions. 12 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 13 requires: 14 1. “Commission” means the Iowa next commission established 15 in section 304.102. 16 2. “Department” means the department of cultural affairs 17 created in section 303.1. 18 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION . 304.102 Iowa next commission. 19 1. The Iowa next commission is established consisting 20 of eleven members and is located for administrative purposes 21 within the department. The director of the department shall 22 provide office space, staff assistance, and necessary supplies 23 and equipment for the commission. The director shall budget 24 funds to pay the compensation and expenses of the commission. 25 In performing its functions, the commission is performing 26 a public function on behalf of the state and is a public 27 instrumentality of the state. 28 2. The commission shall consist of the following voting 29 members appointed by the governor: 30 a. Two members from each United States congressional 31 district in the state as established in section 40.1. 32 b. Three at-large members. 33 3. a. Of the voting members appointed pursuant to 34 subsection 2, the governor shall appoint the following: 35 -1- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 1/ 33
S.F. _____ (1) One person selected by the board of the Iowa natural 1 heritage foundation. 2 (2) One person with professional experience in finance, 3 insurance, or investment banking. 4 (3) One person with professional experience in the tourism 5 industry. 6 (4) One person with professional experience in historic 7 preservation. 8 (5) One person with professional experience in cultural 9 programming. 10 (6) Six persons actively employed in the private, 11 for-profit sector of the economy who otherwise have substantial 12 expertise in economic development. 13 b. All members appointed pursuant to subsection 2 shall be 14 residents at all times of different counties. 15 c. The governor shall appoint the voting members pursuant to 16 subsection 2, subject to sections 69.16, 69.16A, and 69.16C, 17 and subject to confirmation by the senate. 18 d. The members appointed pursuant to subsection 2 shall be 19 appointed to three-year staggered terms and the terms shall 20 commence and end as provided by section 69.19. If a vacancy 21 occurs, a successor shall be appointed to serve the unexpired 22 terms. A successor shall be appointed in the same manner and 23 subject to the same qualifications as the original appointment 24 to serve the unexpired terms. 25 4. In addition to the voting members, the membership of the 26 commission shall include four members of the general assembly 27 with one member designated by each of the following: the 28 majority leader of the senate, the minority leader of the 29 senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the 30 minority leader of the house of representatives. A legislative 31 member serves for a term as provided in section 69.16B in an ex 32 officio, nonvoting capacity. 33 5. a. In addition to the voting members, the membership 34 of the commission shall include the following ex officio, 35 -2- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 2/ 33
S.F. _____ nonvoting members: 1 (1) The director of the economic development authority or 2 the director’s designee. 3 (2) The director of the department of transportation or the 4 director’s designee. 5 (3) The director of the department of natural resources or 6 the director’s designee. 7 (4) The director of the department of cultural affairs or 8 the director’s designee. 9 b. A person serving as a designee pursuant to paragraph “a” 10 shall serve a one-year term as an ex officio, nonvoting member 11 of the commission. 12 6. The governor shall designate the chairperson and vice 13 chairperson of the commission from the members appointed 14 pursuant to subsection 2. In the case of absence or disability 15 of the chairperson and vice chairperson, the members of the 16 commission shall elect a temporary chairperson by a majority 17 vote of those members who are present and voting. 18 7. A majority of the total voting membership of the 19 commission constitutes a quorum. 20 8. The members of the commission are entitled to receive 21 reimbursement for actual expenses incurred while engaged in the 22 performance of official duties. A member of the commission may 23 also be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 24 7E.6. 25 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION . 304.103 Commission duties. 26 The commission shall do all of the following: 27 1. Oversee and approve the administration of the Iowa next 28 program by the department. 29 2. Administer a process pursuant to section 304.105 30 allowing certain departments to apply for additional funds for 31 quality of life projects. 32 3. Establish the following two panels, composed of 33 five voting members of the commission, which shall review 34 applications and make recommendations to the commission 35 -3- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 3/ 33
S.F. _____ concerning applications: 1 a. The Iowa next review panel shall review applications 2 pursuant to sections 15F.203, 15F.206, 304.105, and 304.202. 3 b. The tourism review panel shall review applications 4 pursuant to sections 15E.321, 15E.322, 15F.203, and 15F.206. 5 4. Consult with state and local entities to create a 6 comprehensive strategic plan to coordinate efforts to increase 7 the quality of life for residents of Iowa and to attract 8 persons from outside the state to Iowa. 9 5. Solicit the involvement of the private sector, including 10 support and funding, for quality of life programs in the state. 11 6. Collect and maintain any economic or other data and 12 research that is relevant to the formulation and implementation 13 of effective quality of life policies. 14 7. Cooperate with and provide information to state 15 agencies, local governments, and others as deemed appropriate 16 for the enhancement of quality of life efforts. 17 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION . 304.104 Department duties. 18 1. The department, subject to approval by the commission, 19 shall adopt administrative rules pursuant to chapter 17A 20 necessary to administer the Iowa next program created 21 pursuant to section 304.202. The department shall provide 22 the commission with assistance in implementing administrative 23 functions, marketing the program, providing technical 24 assistance and application assistance to applicants under the 25 program, and providing project follow-up for the Iowa next 26 program. 27 2. The department, subject to approval by the commission, 28 shall adopt administrative rules pursuant to chapter 17A 29 necessary to administer its duties related to the community 30 attraction and tourism program, the river enhancement 31 community attraction and tourism program, the regional sports 32 authority districts program, and the sports tourism program, 33 as provided in chapter 15F and sections 15E.321 and 15E.322. 34 The department shall provide the commission with assistance in 35 -4- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 4/ 33
S.F. _____ implementing administrative functions relating to the programs. 1 3. The department, subject to approval by the commission, 2 shall adopt administrative rules pursuant to chapter 17A 3 necessary to develop a process pursuant to section 304.105 4 allowing certain departments to apply to the commission for 5 additional funds for quality of life projects. 6 4. The department shall develop and make available to the 7 public a searchable database on an internet site of funding 8 opportunities and state programs to assist with efforts to 9 enhance local communities. 10 5. The department shall work with the economic development 11 authority, the department of natural resources, the department 12 of transportation, and other state agencies as necessary to 13 allocate appropriate staff and resources to the oversight of 14 quality of life programs in the state. 15 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION . 304.105 Iowa next appropriation. 16 1. Commencing with appropriations made by this section for 17 the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, for a total of ten 18 fiscal years, if moneys are transferred to the general fund of 19 the state pursuant to section 8.55, subsection 2, paragraph “b” , 20 during a fiscal year, in an amount that exceeds one hundred 21 million dollars, there is appropriated from the general fund of 22 the state to the following departments, for that fiscal year, 23 the following amounts, or so much thereof as is necessary to be 24 used for the purposes designated: 25 a. To the economic development authority for deposit in 26 the community attraction and tourism fund created in section 27 15F.204: 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,500,000 29 b. To the economic development authority for deposit in the 30 river enhancement community attraction and tourism fund created 31 in section 15F.205: 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,500,000 33 c. To the department of natural resources for deposit in the 34 natural resources account in the natural resources and outdoor 35 -5- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 5/ 33
S.F. _____ recreation trust fund created in section 461.32: 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,000,000 2 d. For deposit in the watershed protection account in the 3 natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund created in 4 section 461.34, for use by the department of natural resources 5 and the department of agriculture and land stewardship: 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,000,000 7 e. For deposit in the trails account in the natural 8 resources and outdoor recreation trust fund created in section 9 461.37, for use by the department of transportation and the 10 department of natural resources: 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,000,000 12 f. To the department of cultural affairs for deposit in the 13 Iowa next fund created in section 304.203: 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 14,000,000 15 2. a. If a department listed in subsection 1, paragraphs 16 “c” through “e” , have insufficient funds in the respective 17 accounts for prospective projects and initiatives, the 18 department may apply to the commission for additional funds 19 pursuant to section 304.202 to provide financial assistance for 20 projects and initiatives. A department listed in subsection 1, 21 paragraphs “c” through “e” , may apply for multiple projects in 22 one application. The commission shall develop a process for 23 such application. 24 b. Upon receipt of an application submitted by a department 25 pursuant to this subsection, the Iowa next review panel 26 established by the commission pursuant to section 304.103 27 shall review the application and make a recommendation to the 28 commission. When reviewing the application, the Iowa next 29 review panel shall consider the criteria established in section 30 304.202, subsection 5. 31 c. Upon review of the recommendations of the Iowa next 32 review panel, the commission shall approve, defer, or deny an 33 application for additional funds. The commission may make a 34 multiyear commitment to a department or may award assistance 35 -6- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 6/ 33
S.F. _____ for multiple projects to the same department provided the Iowa 1 next fund contains sufficient moneys. 2 d. Upon approval of an application, the commission shall 3 notify the department of cultural affairs of the award, and the 4 department of cultural affairs shall transfer the funds awarded 5 to the department from the Iowa next fund created in section 6 304.203 for deposit in an account described in subsection 1, 7 paragraphs “c” through “e” . 8 3. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated in 9 this section that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the 10 close of the fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain 11 available for expenditure for the purposes designated for 12 future fiscal years. 13 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION . 304.201 Definitions. 14 For purposes of this subchapter, unless the context 15 otherwise requires: 16 1. “Financial assistance” means assistance provided only 17 from the funds, rights, and assets legally available to the 18 department for purposes of the program and includes but is not 19 limited to assistance in the forms of grants, loans, forgivable 20 loans, and royalty payments. 21 2. “Fund” means the Iowa next fund created in section 22 304.203. 23 3. “Program” means the Iowa next program established in 24 section 304.202. 25 4. “Public organization” means a nonprofit economic 26 development organization or other nonprofit organization that 27 sponsors community enhancements and activities. 28 5. “Quality of life project” means a project for which 29 an application is reviewed as provided in section 304.202, 30 subsection 5. 31 6. “Vertical infrastructure” means land acquisition and 32 construction, major renovation and major repair of buildings, 33 all appurtenant structures, utilities, site development, and 34 recreational trails and water trails. “Vertical infrastructure” 35 -7- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 7/ 33
S.F. _____ does not include routine, recurring maintenance or operational 1 expenses or leasing of a building, appurtenant structure, or 2 utility without a lease-purchase agreement. 3 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION . 304.202 Iowa next program. 4 1. The commission, in conjunction with the department 5 and the economic development authority, shall establish and 6 administer an Iowa next program for purposes of providing 7 financial assistance to quality of life projects around the 8 state. 9 2. A city, county, state agency, or public organization 10 in the state may submit an application to the department for 11 financial assistance under the program for a quality of life 12 project. A school district, in cooperation with a city or 13 county, may submit a joint application for financial assistance 14 for a project under the program. Each application shall 15 include but not be limited to the following information: 16 a. The total capital investment of the project, including 17 but not limited to costs for construction, site acquisition, 18 and infrastructure improvement. 19 b. The amount or percentage of local and private matching 20 moneys which will be or have been provided for the project. 21 c. The total number of jobs to be created or retained by the 22 project. 23 d. The need of the community for the project and for the 24 financial assistance. 25 e. The long-term tax-generating impact of the project. 26 f. Other information the department may reasonably require. 27 3. Upon submission of an application to the department, 28 the department shall review the application to verify that the 29 minimum eligibility criteria are met. For those applications 30 that meet the eligibility criteria, the department shall 31 provide a staff review analysis and evaluation to the Iowa next 32 review panel established by the commission pursuant to section 33 304.103. 34 4. The Iowa next review panel shall review program 35 -8- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 8/ 33
S.F. _____ applications submitted to the department and the staff review 1 analysis created by the department and make recommendations to 2 the commission regarding the provision of financial assistance 3 to a project. The Iowa next review panel shall score each 4 application on a competitive basis according to the criteria 5 established in subsection 5. 6 5. When reviewing applications for a project, the Iowa 7 next review panel shall consider, at a minimum, all of the 8 following: 9 a. Whether the wages, benefits, including health benefits, 10 safety, and other attributes of the project would improve 11 the quality of life or the quality of attraction or tourism 12 employment in the community. 13 b. The extent to which the project would generate additional 14 recreational and cultural attractions or tourism opportunities. 15 c. The ability of the project to produce a long-term, 16 tax-generating economic impact. 17 d. The location of the project and its impact on the 18 geographic diversity of successful applications. 19 e. Whether the project is primarily a vertical 20 infrastructure project with demonstrated substantial regional 21 or statewide economic impact. 22 f. Whether the applicant has received other federal, state, 23 or local assistance and whether financial assistance has 24 already been provided under the program for the same project. 25 Whether a project is the same shall be within the discretion 26 of the commission. 27 g. The extent to which the project has taken the following 28 planning principles into consideration: 29 (1) Efficient and effective use of land resources and 30 existing infrastructure by encouraging development in areas 31 with existing infrastructure or capacity to avoid costly 32 duplication of services and costly use of land. 33 (2) Provision for a variety of transportation choices, 34 including pedestrian traffic. 35 -9- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 9/ 33
S.F. _____ (3) Maintenance of a unique sense of place by respecting 1 local cultural and natural environmental features. 2 (4) Conservation of open space and farmland and 3 preservation of critical environmental areas. 4 (5) Promotion of the safety, livability, and revitalization 5 of existing urban and rural communities. 6 h. The amount of matching, nonstate funds leveraged by the 7 project, including any tax incentives awarded to the project. 8 i. Other criteria relevant to the project and appropriate to 9 the purpose and intent of the program. 10 6. Upon review of the recommendations of the Iowa next 11 review panel, the commission shall approve, defer, or deny 12 an award of financial assistance for each application. The 13 amount of financial assistance awarded shall be within the 14 discretion of the commission. The commission may make a 15 multiyear commitment to an applicant or may award assistance 16 for multiple projects to the same applicant provided the fund 17 contains sufficient moneys. 18 7. a. Upon approval of an application for financial 19 assistance, the commission shall notify the economic 20 development authority, and the authority and the applicant 21 shall enter into an agreement regarding the project. 22 b. The agreement shall provide for the project requirements 23 and document the applicable matching funds requirements, if 24 any. 25 8. a. The commission shall allocate at least twenty percent 26 of the moneys available in the fund for projects in communities 27 with a population of less than fifty thousand. 28 b. If, at any point in the fiscal year, the commission 29 determines that demand for financial assistance for projects in 30 communities of less than fifty thousand will not meet or exceed 31 the allocation described in paragraph “a” , the commission may 32 reallocate the program funds to other projects. 33 c. The department, with the approval of the commission, 34 shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for purposes of 35 -10- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 10/ 33
S.F. _____ defining the scope and meaning of the types of projects 1 described in paragraph “a” . 2 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION . 304.203 Iowa next fund. 3 1. An Iowa next fund is created as a separate fund in the 4 state treasury under the control of the department, consisting 5 of any moneys appropriated by the general assembly, any moneys 6 transferred from other funds as provided by law, and any other 7 moneys available to and obtained or accepted by the department 8 for placement in the fund. 9 2. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department 10 for purposes of the Iowa next program established in section 11 304.202, the sports tourism program established in section 12 15E.322, and for providing additional funding to other 13 departments for quality of life projects pursuant to section 14 304.105. 15 3. Moneys in the fund are not subject to section 8.33. 16 Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or 17 earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund. 18 Sec. 10. Section 12.71, subsection 1, Code 2015, is amended 19 to read as follows: 20 1. The treasurer of state may issue bonds upon the request 21 of the vision Iowa board created in section 15F.102 , Code 2015, 22 and do all things necessary with respect to the purposes of the 23 vision Iowa fund. The treasurer of state shall have all of 24 the powers which are necessary to issue and secure bonds and 25 carry out the purposes of the fund. The treasurer of state may 26 issue bonds in principal amounts which, in the opinion of the 27 board, are necessary to provide sufficient funds for the vision 28 Iowa fund created in section 12.72 , the payment of interest 29 on the bonds, the establishment of reserves to secure the 30 bonds, the costs of issuance of the bonds, other expenditures 31 of the treasurer of state incident to and necessary or 32 convenient to carry out the bond issue for the fund, and all 33 other expenditures of the board necessary or convenient to 34 administer the fund; provided, however, excluding the issuance 35 -11- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 11/ 33
S.F. _____ of refunding bonds, bonds issued pursuant to this section shall 1 not be issued in an aggregate principal amount which exceeds 2 three hundred million dollars. The bonds are investment 3 securities and negotiable instruments within the meaning of and 4 for purposes of the uniform commercial code, chapter 554 . 5 Sec. 11. Section 12.72, subsection 1, Code 2015, is amended 6 to read as follows: 7 1. A vision Iowa fund is created and established as a 8 separate and distinct fund in the state treasury. The moneys 9 in the fund are appropriated to the vision Iowa board for 10 purposes of the vision Iowa program established in section 11 15F.302 , Code 2015 . Moneys in the fund shall not be subject to 12 appropriation for any other purpose by the general assembly, 13 but shall be used only for the purposes of the vision Iowa 14 fund. The treasurer of state shall act as custodian of the 15 fund and disburse moneys contained in the fund as directed 16 by the vision Iowa board, including automatic disbursements 17 of funds received pursuant to the terms of bond indentures 18 and documents and security provisions to trustees. The fund 19 shall be administered by the vision Iowa board which shall 20 make expenditures from the fund consistent with the purposes 21 of the vision Iowa program without further appropriation. An 22 applicant under the vision Iowa program shall not receive more 23 than seventy-five million dollars in financial assistance from 24 the fund. 25 Sec. 12. Section 12.75, subsection 2, Code 2015, is amended 26 to read as follows: 27 2. For purposes of this section , “applicant” means a city or 28 county or public organization applying for financial assistance 29 under the vision Iowa program established in section 15F.302 , 30 Code 2015 . 31 Sec. 13. Section 15.108, subsection 5, paragraph c, Code 32 2015, is amended to read as follows: 33 c. Coordinate and develop with the department of 34 transportation, the department of natural resources, the 35 -12- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 12/ 33
S.F. _____ department of cultural affairs, the vision Iowa board next 1 commission , other state agencies, and local and regional 2 entities public interpretation, marketing, and education 3 programs that encourage Iowans and out-of-state visitors to 4 participate in the recreational and leisure opportunities 5 available in Iowa. The authority shall establish and 6 administer a program that helps connect both Iowa residents and 7 residents of other states to new and existing Iowa experiences 8 as a means to enhance the economic, social, and cultural 9 well-being of the state. The program shall include a broad 10 range of new opportunities, both rural and urban, including 11 main street destinations, green space initiatives, and artistic 12 and cultural attractions. 13 Sec. 14. Section 15E.321, subsections 1, 2, and 4, Code 14 2015, are amended to read as follows: 15 1. As used in this section , “district” and section 15E.322 16 unless the context otherwise requires: 17 a. “Commission” means the Iowa next commission established 18 in section 304.102. 19 b. “District” means a regional sports authority district 20 certified under this section . 21 2. a. A convention and visitors bureau may apply to the 22 authority for certification of a regional sports authority 23 district which may include more than one city and more than 24 one convention and visitors bureau within the district. The 25 authority shall forward all applications received pursuant to 26 this section to the commission. The authority commission shall 27 not certify more than ten such districts. 28 b. To be eligible under the program, an applicant shall meet 29 all of the following requirements: 30 (1) The applicant shall propose to operate a regional sports 31 authority district that is governed by a board as provided in 32 subsection 4. 33 (2) The applicant shall demonstrate an amount of local 34 matching funds to be devoted to the regional sports authority 35 -13- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 13/ 33
S.F. _____ district equal to at least fifty percent of the amount of grant 1 funds to be received by the applicant under the program. 2 (3) The applicant shall submit a completed application by 3 September 1 of each fiscal year unless the commission, upon 4 its own discretion, provides a different deadline for the 5 submission of all applications. 6 b. c. If more than ten applications are received in 7 any certification year, the authority tourism review panel 8 established by the commission pursuant to section 304.103 shall 9 review the applications submitted and make recommendations to 10 the commission regarding the certification of the districts 11 on a competitive basis. After review of the recommendations 12 of the tourism review panel, the commission shall certify 13 the districts on a competitive basis. In evaluating the 14 applications for certification, the authority shall consider 15 the economic impact to the state of the activities proposed 16 in the application, the geographic diversity of the districts 17 applying, and any other factors the authority deems relevant. 18 4. Each district shall be governed by a seven-member board 19 consisting of seven members appointed by the convention and 20 visitors bureau filing the application pursuant to subsection 21 2 . At least three members of the board shall consist of city 22 council members of any the cities located in the district. 23 Each board shall be responsible for administering programs 24 projects designed to promote the activities enumerated regional 25 sports authority district events described in subsection 3 . 26 Sec. 15. Section 15E.321, Code 2015, is amended by adding 27 the following new subsection: 28 NEW SUBSECTION . 5. Upon certifying the districts, the 29 commission shall inform the authority and the authority 30 shall enter into an agreement with a district regarding the 31 promotion of the nonprofessional sporting event and the terms 32 and conditions concerning any grants disbursed to the district 33 certified by the commission pursuant to this section. 34 Sec. 16. NEW SECTION . 15E.322 Sports tourism program. 35 -14- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 14/ 33
S.F. _____ 1. The authority shall establish and administer a sports 1 tourism program to provide financial assistance for projects 2 that promote professional and accredited college and university 3 sporting events in the state. 4 2. a. A convention and visitors bureau may apply to the 5 authority for a grant for a project that actively promotes 6 professional and accredited college and university sporting 7 events in the area served by the convention and visitors 8 bureau. 9 b. A convention and visitors bureau may apply for and 10 receive grants for more than one project. 11 c. A convention and visitors bureau may apply for a 12 multiyear grant or may apply for renewal of an annual grant if 13 certain metrics and return on investment estimates, as set by 14 the commission by rule, are met. 15 d. A convention and visitors bureau may apply to the 16 commission for financial assistance pursuant to this section 17 and a district’s convention and visitors bureau may apply to 18 the authority for financial assistance pursuant to section 19 15E.321, but shall not receive financial assistance under both 20 provisions for the same event. 21 3. a. The authority shall forward all applications received 22 pursuant to this section to the commission. The tourism 23 review panel established by the commission pursuant to section 24 304.103 shall review the applications submitted and make 25 recommendations to the commission regarding the applications on 26 a competitive basis using the criteria established in paragraph 27 “b” . 28 b. The tourism review panel and the commission shall 29 consider the following criteria when awarding grants: 30 (1) Impact of the project on the local and state economy. 31 (2) Novelty and quality of a project. 32 (3) Project size and scope. 33 (4) Financial need of the applicant. 34 (5) Ratio of public-to-private investment. 35 -15- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 15/ 33
S.F. _____ (6) Potential to attract Iowans and out-of-state visitors. 1 (7) Amount of positive advertising or media coverage the 2 project generates. 3 c. Upon review of the recommendations of the tourism 4 review panel, the commission shall approve, defer, or deny the 5 application for a grant. The amount of financial assistance 6 awarded shall be within the discretion of the commission. Upon 7 approval of an application for a grant under the program, the 8 commission shall notify the authority. The authority shall 9 enter into an agreement with the recipient of a grant under the 10 program. 11 4. An applicant is not required to demonstrate matching 12 funds in order to receive financial assistance pursuant to this 13 section. 14 5. A convention and visitors bureau may use funds received 15 under the program for marketing, promotions, infrastructure, 16 and other purposes to promote the sporting event. The 17 convention and visitors bureau shall not use funds received 18 under the program as reimbursement for completed projects. 19 6. A convention and visitors bureau receiving a grant shall 20 provide an annual report to the authority for years in which it 21 receives financial assistance under this section. The report 22 shall include the information the authority deems relevant. 23 Sec. 17. Section 15F.201, Code 2015, is amended by adding 24 the following new subsections: 25 NEW SUBSECTION . 01. “Authority” means the economic 26 development authority created in section 15.105. 27 NEW SUBSECTION . 001. “Commission” means the Iowa next 28 commission established in section 304.102. 29 Sec. 18. Section 15F.202, subsection 1, Code 2015, is 30 amended to read as follows: 31 1. The board authority shall establish and the authority, 32 subject to direction and approval by the board consultation and 33 administration of the application process by the commission , 34 shall administer a community attraction and tourism program to 35 -16- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 16/ 33
S.F. _____ assist communities in the development, creation, and regional 1 marketing of multiple-purpose attraction or tourism facilities. 2 Any moneys appropriated to the river enhancement community 3 attraction and tourism fund created pursuant to section 15F.205 4 shall be used exclusively for the creation and enhancement of 5 community attractions and tourism opportunities along lakes, 6 rivers, and river corridors in cities across the state, but 7 a recipient of moneys from the river enhancement community 8 attraction and tourism fund shall not be precluded from 9 receiving funds from the community attraction and tourism fund 10 created pursuant to section 15F.204 . 11 Sec. 19. Section 15F.202, subsection 2, unnumbered 12 paragraph 1, Code 2015, is amended to read as follows: 13 A city or county in the state or public organization may 14 submit an application to the board authority for financial 15 assistance for a project under the program. The assistance 16 shall be provided only from funds, rights, and assets legally 17 available to the board authority and commission and shall be 18 in the form of grants, loans, forgivable loans, and credit 19 enhancement and financing instruments. The application shall 20 include, but not be limited to, the following information: 21 Sec. 20. Section 15F.202, subsection 3, Code 2015, is 22 amended to read as follows: 23 3. A school district, in cooperation with a city or county, 24 may submit a joint application for financial assistance for a 25 project under the program. The assistance shall be provided 26 only from funds, rights, and assets legally available to the 27 board authority and commission and shall be in the form of 28 grants, loans, forgivable loans, and credit enhancement and 29 financing instruments. In addition to the information required 30 in subsection 2 , the application shall include a demonstration 31 that the intended future use of the project shall be by both 32 joint applicants. 33 Sec. 21. Section 15F.203, subsections 1 and 2, Code 2015, 34 are amended to read as follows: 35 -17- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 17/ 33
S.F. _____ 1. Applications for assistance under the program shall be 1 submitted to the authority. Upon submission of an application 2 to the authority, the authority shall review the application 3 to verify that the minimum eligibility criteria are met. For 4 those applications that meet the eligibility criteria, the 5 authority shall forward the application to the commission and 6 provide a staff review analysis and evaluation to the community 7 attraction and tourism program tourism review committee 8 referred to in subsection 2 and the board panel established by 9 the commission pursuant to section 304.103 . 10 2. A The tourism review committee composed of five members 11 of the board panel shall review community attraction and 12 tourism program applications submitted to the board authority 13 and the staff review analysis created by the authority and 14 make recommendations regarding the applications to the board 15 commission . The review committee shall consist of members of 16 the board listed in section 15F.102, subsection 2 , paragraphs 17 “a” through “c” . 18 Sec. 22. Section 15F.203, subsection 3, unnumbered 19 paragraph 1, Code 2015, is amended to read as follows: 20 When reviewing the applications, the tourism review 21 committee and the authority panel shall consider, at a minimum, 22 all of the following: 23 Sec. 23. Section 15F.203, subsection 3, paragraph f, Code 24 2015, is amended to read as follows: 25 f. Whether the applicant has received financial assistance 26 under the program for the same project. Whether a project is 27 the same shall be within the discretion of the commission. 28 Sec. 24. Section 15F.203, subsection 3, Code 2015, is 29 amended by adding the following new paragraphs: 30 NEW PARAGRAPH . h. The amount of matching, nonstate funds 31 leveraged by the project, including any tax incentives awarded 32 to the project. 33 NEW PARAGRAPH . i. Other criteria relevant to the project 34 and appropriate to the purpose and intent of the program. 35 -18- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 18/ 33
S.F. _____ Sec. 25. Section 15F.203, subsections 4 and 5, Code 2015, 1 are amended to read as follows: 2 4. a. Upon review of the recommendations of the tourism 3 review committee panel , the board commission shall approve, 4 defer, or deny the applications. The amount of financial 5 assistance awarded shall be within the discretion of the 6 commission. 7 b. If an application is deferred or denied because the 8 community attraction and tourism fund contains insufficient 9 moneys, the tourism review panel may recommend that the 10 application be considered an application for the Iowa next 11 program established pursuant to section 304.202. If the 12 commission, upon the tourism review panel’s recommendation and 13 the applicant’s approval, agrees to consider an application 14 submitted pursuant to this section as an Iowa next program 15 application, the Iowa next review panel established by the 16 commission pursuant to section 304.103 shall reconsider the 17 application pursuant to section 304.202, subsection 4, and 18 proceed as though the application were submitted pursuant to 19 section 304.202. 20 5. Upon approval of an application for financial assistance 21 under the program, the board commission shall notify the 22 treasurer of state authority regarding the amount of moneys 23 needed to satisfy the award of financial assistance and the 24 terms of the award , after consultation with the authority 25 concerning such terms . The treasurer of state shall notify 26 the authority any time moneys are disbursed to a recipient 27 of financial assistance under the program. The authority 28 shall enter into an agreement with the recipient of financial 29 assistance under the program. 30 Sec. 26. Section 15F.204, subsections 1 and 3, Code 2015, 31 are amended to read as follows: 32 1. A community attraction and tourism fund is created as a 33 separate fund in the state treasury under the control of the 34 board authority and the commission , consisting of any moneys 35 -19- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 19/ 33
S.F. _____ appropriated by the general assembly and any other moneys 1 available to and obtained or accepted by the board authority or 2 the commission for placement in the fund. 3 3. The fund shall be used to provide assistance only from 4 funds, rights, and assets legally available to the board 5 authority or the commission in the form of grants, loans, 6 forgivable loans, and credit enhancements and financing 7 instruments under the community attraction and tourism program 8 established in section 15F.202 . A project with a total 9 cost exceeding twenty million dollars may receive financial 10 assistance under the program. An applicant under the community 11 attraction and tourism program shall not receive financial 12 assistance from the fund in an amount exceeding fifty percent 13 of the total cost of the project. 14 Sec. 27. Section 15F.204, subsection 5, unnumbered 15 paragraph 1, Code 2015, is amended to read as follows: 16 At the beginning of each fiscal year, the board authority, in 17 consultation with the commission, shall allocate one hundred 18 thousand dollars for purposes of marketing those projects 19 that are receiving moneys from the fund. After the marketing 20 allocation, the board commission, in consultation with the 21 authority, through the application process, shall allocate all 22 remaining moneys in the fund in the following manner: 23 Sec. 28. Section 15F.204, subsection 7, Code 2015, is 24 amended to read as follows: 25 7. If any portion of the allocated moneys under subsection 26 5 , paragraph “a” , has not been awarded by April 1 of the fiscal 27 year for which the allocation is made, the portion which has 28 not been awarded may be utilized by the board commission, 29 in consultation with the authority, to provide financial 30 assistance under the program to any city or county in the 31 state. 32 Sec. 29. Section 15F.204, subsection 8, paragraphs a, b, c, 33 d, e, and f, Code 2015, are amended by striking the paragraphs. 34 Sec. 30. Section 15F.204, subsection 9, Code 2015, is 35 -20- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 20/ 33
S.F. _____ amended to read as follows: 1 9. Notwithstanding the allocation requirements in 2 subsection 5 , the board commission may make a multiyear 3 commitment to an applicant of up to four million dollars in any 4 one fiscal year. 5 Sec. 31. Section 15F.205, subsections 2, 4, 7, 8, and 9, 6 Code 2015, are amended to read as follows: 7 2. A river enhancement community attraction and tourism 8 fund is created as a separate fund in the state treasury 9 under the control of the board authority and the commission , 10 consisting of any moneys appropriated by the general assembly 11 and any other moneys available to and obtained or accepted by 12 the board authority or the commission for placement in the 13 fund. 14 4. The fund shall be used to provide assistance only from 15 funds, rights, and assets legally available to the board 16 authority or the commission , and the assistance shall be 17 in the form of grants, loans, forgivable loans, and credit 18 enhancements and financing instruments as described in the 19 community attraction and tourism program established in section 20 15F.202 . 21 7. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the board 22 commission, in consultation with the authority, shall allocate 23 moneys in the fund for financial assistance to projects that 24 promote and enhance recreational opportunities and community 25 attractions on and near rivers or lakes within cities across 26 the state. Such recreational opportunities and community 27 attractions shall be closely connected to a river or lake 28 and may include but is not limited to pedestrian trails 29 and walkways, amphitheaters, bike trails, water trails or 30 whitewater courses for watercraft, and any modifications 31 necessary for the safe mitigation of dams. 32 8. The board commission may make a multiyear commitment 33 to an applicant or may award assistance for multiple projects 34 to the same applicant provided the fund contains sufficient 35 -21- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 21/ 33
S.F. _____ moneys. Any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal 1 year may be carried over to a subsequent fiscal year, or may be 2 obligated in advance for a subsequent fiscal year. 3 9. The board commission is not required to award financial 4 assistance pursuant to this section unless moneys are 5 appropriated to and available from the fund. 6 Sec. 32. Section 15F.206, subsection 1, Code 2015, is 7 amended to read as follows: 8 1. Applications for assistance for river enhancement 9 community attraction and tourism projects shall be submitted 10 to the authority. For those applications that meet the 11 eligibility criteria, the authority shall forward the 12 application to the commission and provide a staff review 13 analysis and evaluation to the vision Iowa program tourism 14 review committee referred to in section 15F.304, subsection 2 , 15 and the board panel established by the commission pursuant to 16 section 304.103 . 17 Sec. 33. Section 15F.206, subsection 2, unnumbered 18 paragraph 1, Code 2015, is amended to read as follows: 19 When reviewing the applications, the vision Iowa program 20 tourism review committee and the authority panel shall 21 consider, at a minimum, all of the following: 22 Sec. 34. Section 15F.206, subsection 2, Code 2015, is 23 amended by adding the following new paragraphs: 24 NEW PARAGRAPH . h. The amount of matching, nonstate funds 25 leveraged by the project, including any tax incentives awarded 26 to the project. 27 NEW PARAGRAPH . i. Other criteria relevant to the project 28 and appropriate to the purpose and intent of the program. 29 Sec. 35. Section 15F.206, subsections 3 and 4, Code 2015, 30 are amended to read as follows: 31 3. a. Upon review of the recommendations of the tourism 32 review committee panel , the board commission shall approve, 33 defer, or deny the applications. The amount of financial 34 assistance awarded shall be within the discretion of the 35 -22- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 22/ 33
S.F. _____ commission. 1 b. If an application is deferred or denied because the river 2 enhancement community attraction and tourism fund contains 3 insufficient moneys, the tourism review panel may recommend 4 that the application be considered an application for the Iowa 5 next program established pursuant to section 304.202. If the 6 commission, upon the tourism review panel’s recommendation and 7 the applicant’s approval, agrees to consider an application 8 submitted pursuant to this section as an Iowa next program 9 application, the Iowa next review panel established by the 10 commission pursuant to section 304.103 shall reconsider the 11 application pursuant to section 304.202, subsection 4, and 12 proceed as though the application were submitted pursuant to 13 section 304.202. 14 4. Upon approval of an application for financial assistance 15 under the program, the board commission shall notify the 16 treasurer of state authority regarding the amount of moneys 17 needed to satisfy the award of financial assistance and the 18 terms of the award , after consultation with the authority 19 concerning such terms . The treasurer of state shall notify 20 the authority anytime moneys are disbursed to a recipient 21 of financial assistance under the program. The authority 22 shall enter into an agreement with the recipient of financial 23 assistance under the program. 24 Sec. 36. Section 15H.6, subsection 3, Code 2015, is amended 25 to read as follows: 26 3. The capacity building activities shall be targeted in 27 communities that are already working with existing community 28 improvement programs, including but not limited to the Iowa 29 great places program established under section 303.3C , cultural 30 and entertainment district certification program established 31 in section 303.3B, the green streets and main street Iowa 32 programs administered by the economic development authority, 33 and disaster remediation activities by communities located 34 within an area declared to be a disaster area in a declaration 35 -23- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 23/ 33
S.F. _____ issued by the president of the United States or the governor. 1 Sec. 37. Section 292.2, subsection 9, Code 2015, is amended 2 by striking the subsection. 3 Sec. 38. Section 303.1, subsection 2, Code 2015, is amended 4 by adding the following new paragraph: 5 NEW PARAGRAPH . f. Coordinate and develop with the economic 6 development authority, department of transportation, the 7 department of natural resources, the Iowa next commission, 8 other state agencies, and local and regional entities 9 programs that encourage Iowans and out-of-state visitors to 10 participate in the cultural, recreational, and quality of life 11 opportunities available in Iowa. 12 Sec. 39. Section 303A.4, subsection 4, Code 2015, is amended 13 by adding the following new paragraph: 14 NEW PARAGRAPH . c. Notwithstanding paragraph “a” , for the 15 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2016, 16 and continuing for a total of ten fiscal years, the treasurer 17 of state shall transfer ten percent of the total moneys in the 18 trust fund at the beginning of the fiscal year to the grant 19 account created in section 303A.7. 20 Sec. 40. Section 423.4, subsection 5, paragraph c, 21 subparagraph (5), Code 2015, is amended to read as follows: 22 (5) The automobile racetrack facility has not received or 23 shall not receive any grants under the community attraction and 24 tourism program pursuant to chapter 15F, subchapter II , or the 25 former vision Iowa program pursuant to chapter 15F, subchapter 26 III , Code 2015 . 27 Sec. 41. Section 423.4, subsection 11, paragraph c, 28 subparagraph (6), Code 2015, is amended to read as follows: 29 (6) The raceway facility has not received or shall not 30 receive any grants under the community attraction and tourism 31 program pursuant to chapter 15F, subchapter II , or the former 32 vision Iowa program pursuant to chapter 15F, subchapter III , 33 Code 2015 . 34 Sec. 42. REPEAL. Sections 12.73, 15F.101, 15F.102, 35 -24- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 24/ 33
S.F. _____ 15F.103, 15F.104, 15F.105, 15F.106, 15F.301, 15F.302, 15F.303, 1 15F.304, 303.3C, and 303.3D, Code 2015, are repealed. 2 Sec. 43. IOWA NEXT COMMISSION —— TRANSITION PROVISIONS. The 3 initial members of the Iowa next commission established 4 pursuant to this Act shall be appointed by September 1, 2015. 5 Sec. 44. REPEAL OF VISION IOWA PROGRAM —— TRANSITION 6 PROVISIONS. 7 1. Any agreement or contract entered into under the vision 8 Iowa program prior to July 1, 2015, shall continue until the 9 expiration of the original agreement or contract as provided 10 by the terms of the agreement or contract, and shall be 11 administered by the department of cultural affairs. 12 2. The treasurer of state shall not issue bonds pursuant 13 to the vision Iowa program as described in section 12.71 after 14 June 30, 2015. 15 Sec. 45. VISION IOWA BOARD —— TRANSITION PROVISIONS. On 16 July 1, 2015, the Iowa next commission shall assume any 17 remaining duties of the vision Iowa board not already delegated 18 to another entity. 19 Sec. 46. INTERAGENCY COOPERATION —— TRANSITION 20 PROVISIONS. The department of cultural affairs shall consult 21 with the economic development authority about transitioning 22 from the vision Iowa program when implementing this Act. The 23 economic development authority shall assist the department of 24 cultural affairs and the Iowa next commission in implementing 25 this Act by providing for an effective transition of powers and 26 duties from the vision Iowa board to the Iowa next commission, 27 when applicable, and an effective transition from the vision 28 Iowa program to the Iowa next program. 29 Sec. 47. REPEAL OF GREAT PLACES PROGRAM —— TRANSITION 30 PROVISIONS. 31 1. Upon repeal of the great places program fund created 32 in section 303.3D, the department of cultural affairs shall 33 transfer all unencumbered and unobligated moneys accruing to 34 the fund to the Iowa next fund created in section 304.203. 35 -25- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 25/ 33
S.F. _____ 2. Unencumbered and unobligated moneys accruing to the 1 great places program fund on or after July 1, 2015, shall be 2 transferred to the Iowa next fund. 3 3. The great places program fund shall continue in existence 4 until all encumbrances and obligations have been fulfilled. 5 4. Any agreement or contract entered into prior to July 1, 6 2015, pursuant to the great places program shall continue until 7 the expiration of the contract or agreement. 8 EXPLANATION 9 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 10 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 11 This bill establishes the Iowa next program, Iowa next 12 commission, and Iowa next fund under the department of cultural 13 affairs to assist communities in community enhancement 14 projects. The bill eliminates the vision Iowa program and 15 board and the great places program and fund, establishes 16 the sports tourism program, and modifies certain existing 17 economic development authority and department of cultural 18 affairs programs. The bill makes an appropriation and includes 19 transition provisions. 20 The bill is known as the “Iowa Next Act”. The purpose of the 21 bill is to coordinate and streamline state government programs 22 related to community attractions and tourism and to invest in 23 prioritized quality of life projects that provide resources 24 to assist communities in planning, development, creation, 25 improvement, and promotion of cultural and recreational 26 amenities, opportunities, and programs that serve residents and 27 visitors and enhance the quality of life in Iowa. 28 The bill establishes the Iowa next commission (commission), 29 which is located for administrative purposes in the department 30 of cultural affairs (department). The commission has 11 31 voting members appointed by the governor. The bill provides 32 the qualifications for the appointed members. The commission 33 has eight ex officio, nonvoting members consisting of four 34 members of the general assembly as well as the directors of the 35 -26- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 26/ 33
S.F. _____ economic development authority, department of transportation, 1 department of natural resources, and department of cultural 2 affairs, or the directors’ designees. The bill describes 3 the commission’s duties, which include the duties to oversee 4 and approve the administration of the Iowa next program; 5 develop and administer the application process for the 6 community attraction and tourism program, the river enhancement 7 community attraction and tourism program, the regional sports 8 authority districts program, and the sports tourism program, 9 in consultation with the economic development authority 10 (authority); administer a process for certain departments to 11 apply to the commission for additional funds from the Iowa 12 next fund for certain quality of life projects; establish the 13 Iowa next review panel and the tourism review panel; consult 14 with state and local entities to create a comprehensive 15 strategic plan to coordinate efforts to increase the quality 16 of life and attract persons from outside the state; solicit 17 the involvement of the private sector; collect and maintain 18 economic or other data and research relevant to the formulation 19 and implementation of effective quality of life policies; and 20 cooperate with and provide information to state agencies, local 21 governments, and others for the enhancement of quality of life 22 efforts. 23 The bill provides that the department shall adopt rules, 24 subject to the approval of the commission, to administer the 25 Iowa next program. The bill requires the department to adopt 26 rules to administer a process for certain departments to apply 27 to the commission for additional funds from the Iowa next fund 28 for certain quality of life projects. The bill requires the 29 department to develop and make available a public, searchable 30 database on an internet site of funding opportunities to assist 31 with local community enhancement efforts. 32 The bill contains a conditional 10-year appropriation 33 to specified funds for quality of life programs, including 34 the Iowa next program, the community attraction and tourism 35 -27- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 27/ 33
S.F. _____ program, the river enhancement community attraction and tourism 1 program, natural resources initiatives, watershed protection 2 initiatives, and trails projects. The bill appropriates moneys 3 from the general fund of the state beginning in fiscal year 4 2015-2016, for 10 years, if at least $100 million in excess 5 money is transferred from the Iowa economic emergency fund to 6 the general fund pursuant to Code section 8.55 in that fiscal 7 year. 8 If the financial need for natural resources initiatives, 9 watershed protection initiatives, or trails projects, as 10 described in the Code sections referenced in the bill, exceeds 11 the moneys in the respective account receiving an appropriation 12 in the bill, the bill allows the department overseeing the 13 account, which includes the department of transportation, 14 the department of natural resources, and the department of 15 agriculture and land stewardship, to apply to the department 16 of cultural affairs for additional funds from the Iowa next 17 fund for the purposes of the projects and initiatives under 18 the individual accounts in the natural resources and outdoor 19 recreation trust fund that receive an appropriation in the 20 bill. The bill requires the Iowa next review panel of the 21 commission to review an application under this provision and to 22 make recommendations to the commission. The commission must 23 approve, defer, or deny the application. Upon approval of an 24 application under this provision, the commission must notify 25 the department, and the department shall transfer the funds 26 awarded from the Iowa next fund to the respective department 27 for deposit in either the natural resources account, the 28 watershed protection account, or the trails account. 29 The bill requires the commission to establish and administer 30 the Iowa next program. The bill allows a city, county, state 31 agency, public organization, or school district in cooperation 32 with a city or county, to apply to the department for financial 33 assistance for a project. The bill provides the application 34 requirements. Upon submission of an application, the bill 35 -28- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 28/ 33
S.F. _____ requires the department to review the application to verify 1 that minimum eligibility standards are met, and for those 2 applications meeting the minimum eligibility requirements, the 3 department shall provide a staff review analysis and evaluation 4 to the Iowa next review panel, composed of five voting members 5 of the commission. The Iowa next review panel shall make 6 recommendations to the commission regarding the provision of 7 financial assistance and shall score each application on a 8 competitive basis according to criteria established in the 9 bill. After the commission has reviewed the Iowa next review 10 panel’s recommendations, the commission shall approve, defer, 11 or deny an award of financial assistance. The bill requires 12 the applicant receiving a financial assistance award and the 13 authority to enter into an agreement. The bill requires the 14 commission to initially allocate 20 percent of the available 15 moneys in the Iowa next fund to communities with populations of 16 less than 50,000. 17 The bill establishes the Iowa next fund. The moneys in 18 the fund are appropriated to the department for purposes of 19 the Iowa next program, the sports tourism program, and for 20 providing additional funds for other departments for quality 21 of life projects. The fund consists of moneys appropriated, 22 moneys transferred, or any other moneys available to and 23 obtained by the department for placement in the fund. 24 The bill modifies the regional sports authority districts 25 program. The bill lists the eligibility requirements for 26 certification. The bill requires the tourism review panel 27 composed of five voting members of the Iowa next commission 28 to review the applications submitted and make recommendations 29 to the commission regarding the applications if more than 10 30 applications are received, as the current program and the 31 program as modified in the bill limit the number of districts 32 certified to 10. After reviewing the recommendations of 33 the tourism review panel, the bill requires the commission 34 to certify the districts on a competitive basis. After 35 -29- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 29/ 33
S.F. _____ certification of the districts, the bill requires the 1 commission to inform the authority, and the authority must 2 enter into an agreement with a district certified by the 3 commission. 4 The bill requires the authority to establish and administer 5 a sports tourism program to provide financial assistance for 6 projects that promote professional and collegiate sporting 7 events in Iowa. A convention and visitors bureau can apply to 8 the authority for such an event and the commission will receive 9 and review those applications and award grants on a competitive 10 basis using moneys in the Iowa next fund. A convention and 11 visitors bureau may use grant moneys for marketing, promotions, 12 infrastructure, and other purposes to promote the event. A 13 convention and visitors bureau may apply for a multiyear 14 grant and may receive renewal of an annual grant if certain 15 conditions are met as set by the commission. A convention and 16 visitors bureau may apply for and receive grants for more than 17 one project. A convention and visitors bureau receiving a 18 grant shall provide an annual report to the authority for years 19 in which it received financial assistance. 20 The bill also modifies the community attraction and tourism 21 program and fund and the river enhancement community attraction 22 and tourism program and fund. Currently, the community 23 attraction and tourism program is established by the vision 24 Iowa board, and is administered by the authority, subject to 25 direction from the vision Iowa board. The bill requires the 26 authority to establish and administer, subject to consultation 27 with the commission and some administration of the application 28 process by the commission, the community attraction and tourism 29 program. Upon submission of an application, the bill requires 30 the authority to review the application to verify that minimum 31 eligibility standards are met, and for those applications 32 meeting the minimum eligibility requirements, the authority 33 shall provide a staff review analysis and evaluation to the 34 tourism review panel. The tourism review panel shall make 35 -30- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 30/ 33
S.F. _____ recommendations to the commission regarding the provision of 1 financial assistance and shall consider the criteria already 2 established in current Code as well as the amount of matching 3 nonstate funds leveraged by the project and other criteria 4 relevant to the project and appropriate to the purpose and 5 intent of the program. After the commission has reviewed the 6 tourism review panel’s recommendations, the commission shall 7 approve, defer, or deny an award of financial assistance. 8 Upon approval of an application for financial assistance, the 9 commission shall notify the authority regarding the amount of 10 moneys and the terms of the award, after consulting with the 11 authority regarding the terms. The bill requires the authority 12 to enter into an agreement with the recipient of financial 13 assistance under the program. If the application is deferred 14 or denied because the fund contains insufficient moneys, the 15 tourism review panel may recommend that the application be 16 considered an application for the Iowa next program. If the 17 commission, upon the tourism review panel’s recommendation and 18 the applicant’s approval, decides to review the application 19 as an Iowa next program application, the application shall 20 be submitted to the Iowa next review panel pursuant to the 21 Iowa next Code provision for the Iowa next review panel’s 22 recommendation. 23 The bill modifies the community attraction and tourism 24 fund to place the fund under the control of the authority and 25 the commission, rather than the vision Iowa board. The bill 26 requires the authority, in consultation with the commission to 27 allocate $100,000 for marketing. The bill also requires the 28 commission, in consultation with the authority and through the 29 application process, to allocate the remainder of the moneys in 30 the manner specified in current Code. 31 The bill modifies the river enhancement community attraction 32 and tourism fund to place the funds under the control of the 33 authority and the commission, rather than the vision Iowa 34 board. 35 -31- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 31/ 33
S.F. _____ The bill modifies the river enhancement community attraction 1 and tourism projects application review. The bill requires 2 the authority to receive the applications and review those 3 applications. The bill requires the authority to provide 4 a staff review analysis and evaluation of each application 5 meeting the eligibility criteria to the commission’s 6 tourism review panel. The tourism review panel shall make 7 recommendations to the commission regarding the provision of 8 financial assistance and shall consider the criteria already 9 established in current Code as well as the amount of matching 10 nonstate funds leveraged by the project and other criteria 11 relevant to the project and appropriate to the purpose and 12 intent of the program. After the commission has reviewed the 13 tourism review panel’s recommendations, the commission shall 14 approve, defer, or deny an award of financial assistance. 15 Upon approval of an application for financial assistance, the 16 commission shall notify the authority regarding the amount of 17 moneys and the terms of the award, after consulting with the 18 authority regarding the terms. The bill requires the authority 19 to enter into an agreement with the recipient of financial 20 assistance under the program. If the application is deferred 21 or denied because the fund contains insufficient moneys, the 22 tourism review panel may recommend that the application be 23 considered an application for the Iowa next program. If the 24 commission, upon the tourism review panel’s recommendation and 25 the applicant’s approval, decides to review the application 26 as an Iowa next program application, the application shall 27 be submitted to the Iowa next review panel pursuant to the 28 Iowa next Code provision for the Iowa next review panel’s 29 recommendation. 30 The bill requires the treasurer of state to transfer 10 31 percent of the total moneys in the cultural trust fund at the 32 beginning of each fiscal year to the Iowa cultural trust grant 33 account beginning in FY 2015-2016 and continuing for 10 total 34 years. 35 -32- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 32/ 33
S.F. _____ The bill repeals the vision Iowa program, the vision Iowa 1 board, the great places program and fund, and makes conforming 2 changes. The bill requires the department to consult with the 3 authority to assist the Iowa next commission in implementing 4 the bill and providing for an effective transition from the 5 vision Iowa program to the Iowa next program. The current 6 and future unobligated and unencumbered moneys from the great 7 places program fund are transferred to the Iowa next fund. The 8 bill provides other transition provisions. 9 -33- LSB 2663XC (9) 86 ad/rj 33/ 33