House File 2717 - Reprinted
HOUSE FILE
BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 711)
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act providing for an equine industry development commission
2 and related fund, and providing an effective date.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
4 HF 2717
5 da/es/25
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 175B.1 DEFINITIONS.
1 2 1. "Commission" means the equine industry development
1 3 commission established pursuant to section 175B.2.
1 4 2. "Department" means the department of agriculture and
1 5 land stewardship.
1 6 3. "Fund" means the equestrian industry development fund
1 7 created pursuant to section 175B.6.
1 8 4. "Secretary" means the secretary of agriculture.
1 9 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 175B.2 EQUINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
1 10 COMMISSION.
1 11 1. An equine industry development commission is
1 12 established within the department.
1 13 2. The commission shall be composed of the following
1 14 members:
1 15 a. Three nonvoting, ex officio members who shall include
1 16 all of the following:
1 17 (1) The bureau chief of the horse and dog bureau of the
1 18 department of agriculture and land stewardship, or the bureau
1 19 chief's designee.
1 20 (2) The head of the department of animal science of the
1 21 college of agriculture at Iowa state university or that
1 22 person's designee.
1 23 (3) A member of the prairie meadows racetrack and casino
1 24 board of directors who is appointed by the board.
1 25 b. Eleven voting members who shall be appointed by the
1 26 governor and confirmed by the senate pursuant to section 2.32.
1 27 The voting members must be presently actively engaged or have
1 28 long been actively engaged in providing for the care and
1 29 management of equines, including breeds of equine common in
1 30 this state. Eight of the members shall be actively engaged in
1 31 areas of equine expertise, which shall include at least all of
1 32 the following:
1 33 (1) Racing or speed events, which may include
1 34 quarterhorse, thoroughbred, or harness racing.
1 35 (2) Ring or arena events or judging competitions, which
2 1 may include shows, exhibitions, rodeos, or other contests.
2 2 (3) Recreational activities, which may include trail
2 3 riding.
2 4 (4) Activities which involve pulling wagons, carts,
2 5 carriages, or agricultural equipment or implements.
2 6 (5) Ranching activities such as herding and roping
2 7 livestock.
2 8 (6) Breeding equine.
2 9 (7) Support services providing for routine care and
2 10 management, which may include auctioneers, stables, trainers,
2 11 tack dealers, feed dealers, or farriers.
2 12 (8) The practice of veterinary medicine.
2 13 3. The governor shall appoint the voting members. The
2 14 governor shall consider nominations submitted by organizations
2 15 representing areas of equine expertise as certified by the
2 16 department according to requirements of the department.
2 17 Appointments of voting members are subject to the requirements
2 18 of sections 69.16 and 69.16A. In addition, the appointments
2 19 shall be geographically balanced. Unless the governor
2 20 determines that it is not feasible, at least one person
2 21 appointed as a voting member shall reside in each of the
2 22 state's congressional districts at the time of appointment.
2 23 4. The voting members shall serve five=year terms
2 24 beginning and ending as provided in section 69.19. However,
2 25 the governor shall appoint initial members to serve for less
2 26 than five years to ensure members serve staggered terms. A
2 27 member is eligible for reappointment. A vacancy on the
2 28 commission shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the
2 29 regular term in the same manner as regular appointments are
2 30 made.
2 31 5. The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its
2 32 voting members each year on a rotating basis as provided by
2 33 the commission. The commission shall meet on a regular basis
2 34 and at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request
2 35 to the chairperson of five or more voting members.
3 1 6. Members are not entitled to receive compensation but
3 2 shall receive reimbursement of expenses from the department as
3 3 provided in section 7E.6.
3 4 7. Six voting members constitute a quorum and the
3 5 affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members present
3 6 is necessary for any substantive action to be taken by the
3 7 commission. The majority shall not include any member who has
3 8 a conflict of interest and a statement by a member that the
3 9 member has a conflict of interest is conclusive for this
3 10 purpose. A vacancy in the membership does not impair the
3 11 duties of the commission.
3 12 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 175B.3 COMMISSION'S MISSION.
3 13 The commission is the principal public organization devoted
3 14 to promoting the collective interests of the state's equine
3 15 industry. The commission's mission is to establish, improve,
3 16 and expand best management practices, preserve and enhance
3 17 equine breeds, and promote equestrian businesses and
3 18 activities in this state in order to create and capitalize
3 19 upon economic opportunities, improve the environment, and
3 20 enhance the health and quality of life for Iowans.
3 21 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 175B.4 COMMISSION DUTIES.
3 22 In carrying out its mission, as provided in section 175B.3,
3 23 the commission may do all of the following:
3 24 1. Monitor the equine industry in this state, including
3 25 conditions, practices, policies, programs, and regulations
3 26 affecting the equine industry, and periodically advise the
3 27 secretary regarding its findings and recommendations or
3 28 proposals. In monitoring the equine industry, the commission
3 29 may conduct surveys, sponsor meetings or public hearings,
3 30 collect data, cooperate with interested private or public
3 31 organizations, and consult with persons actively engaged in
3 32 improving or expanding the equine industry.
3 33 2. Initiate or support programs or projects which enhance
3 34 the care and management of equines. The programs or projects
3 35 may include establishing, improving, or expanding continuing
4 1 education, clinical services, and diagnostic and therapeutic
4 2 techniques. The commission may provide technical assistance
4 3 to owners, trainers, stables, veterinarians, and farriers and
4 4 assist businesses that provide for equine services, including
4 5 auctioneers, tack dealers, and feed dealers.
4 6 3. Provide for educational and promotional events and
4 7 materials, including strategies to increase the public
4 8 awareness of equine breeds, equine events and activities, the
4 9 value of equine ownership, and traditions associated with
4 10 equines and equestrians, especially among families and young
4 11 persons.
4 12 4. Assist in the establishment, improvement, or expansion
4 13 of private and public equestrian infrastructure, including but
4 14 not limited to stables, training schools, recreational trails,
4 15 historic farms, and spectator facilities.
4 16 5. Assist state and local governments when considering
4 17 legislative or administrative measures which impact the equine
4 18 industry.
4 19 a. The commission may advise the department when it adopts
4 20 rules relating to the equine industry and may recommend model
4 21 ordinances and regulations pertaining to zoning and the care
4 22 and custody of equines.
4 23 b. The commission shall not expend moneys on a political
4 24 issue, activity, or candidate. It may comment upon
4 25 legislation but shall not directly or indirectly attempt to
4 26 influence the passage of legislation.
4 27 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 175B.5 DEPARTMENT DUTIES.
4 28 The department shall assist the commission in carrying out
4 29 its mission as provided in section 175B.3 by doing all of the
4 30 following:
4 31 1. Furnishing facilities, supplies, and clerical
4 32 assistance.
4 33 2. Executing contracts with or awarding moneys for
4 34 programs or projects as provided in section 175B.4.
4 35 3. Administering the equestrian industry development fund
5 1 as provided in section 175B.6.
5 2 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 175B.6 EQUESTRIAN INDUSTRY
5 3 DEVELOPMENT FUND.
5 4 1. An equestrian industry development fund is created in
5 5 the state treasury under the control of the department. The
5 6 fund is composed of moneys appropriated by the general
5 7 assembly and moneys available to and obtained or accepted by
5 8 the department from the United States or private sources for
5 9 placement in the fund.
5 10 2. Moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department
5 11 exclusively to assist the commission in carrying out its
5 12 duties as provided in section 175B.4.
5 13 3. Section 8.33 shall not apply to moneys in the fund.
5 14 Notwithstanding section 12C.7, moneys earned as income or
5 15 interest from the fund shall remain in the fund until expended
5 16 as provided in this section.
5 17 Sec. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect on February
5 18 1, 2007.
5 19 HF 2717
5 20 da:nh/es/25