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Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Agency analysis not provided

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 335 establishes a Rural Affairs Bureau in the Economic Development Department. The bill provides for the purpose and the duties of the bureau, and appropriates funds.

Significant Issues

The proposed purpose of the Rural Affairs Bureau is to provide comprehensive information on various agricultural and rural economic development programs to agricultural producers and businesses, rural communities, and local and regional economic organizations. In addition, the bureau is to provide assistance to these entities in applying for and coordinating rural economic development programs.

The duties of the Rural Affairs Bureau of the Economic Development Department are proposed to be:

1. Develop and maintain a comprehensive statewide rural economic development activity information database and referral service;

2. Establish a mechanism for advertising the existence of the office and its referral service;

3. Provide professional assistance and information regarding rural economic development activity and programs;

4. Establish a reporting procedure to monitor the success of the referral service;

5. Foster, coordinate and support the efforts of individuals and entities involved in rural economic development activities, programs, or projects;

6. Coordinate work with the regional councils of the planning and development districts created in the Planning District Act and supervise the work of any development specialists assigned to those regions; and

7. Develop a budget and hire staff as needed to operate the Rural Affairs Bureau.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the Economic Development Department for expenditure in fiscal year 2001 to establish and operate the Rural Affairs Bureau in the Economic Development Division of the Economic Development Department. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 shall revert to the general fund.

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