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Citations Affected: IC 4-4; noncode.

Synopsis: Rural economic development. Provides that the Indiana rural development council shall develop a rural economic development strategy to assist Indiana's rural residents in improving their quality of life and help promote successful and sustainable rural communities. Provides that the rural economic development strategy must include goals and recommendations concerning certain issues. Provides that the Indiana rural development council shall, before December 1 of each year, submit an annual report to the legislative council to inform the general assembly of the council's work during the period covered by the report and to assist the general assembly in monitoring issues affecting rural communities and responding to the needs of rural residents. Appropriates $300,000 from the state general fund for the 2000-2001 fiscal year to the Indiana rural development council for preparing rural development strategy.

Effective: July 1, 2000.

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Skillman, Blade

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    January 10, 2000, read first time and referred to Committee on Finance.
    January 27, 2000, reported favorably _ Do Pass.

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PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 1999 General Assembly.

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    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning economic development and to make an appropriation.

    SECTION 1. IC 4-4-9.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]:
     Chapter 9.5. Indiana Rural Development Council
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "council" refers to the Indiana Rural Development Council established by the 1993 memorandum of understanding between Indiana and the United States Department of Agriculture.
    Sec. 2. With the approval of the governing board of the council, the council shall do the following:
        (1) Develop a rural economic development strategy for Indiana to assist Indiana's rural residents in improving their quality of life and to help promote successful and sustainable rural communities. The rural economic development strategy must include goals and recommendations concerning the following issues:
            (A) Job creation and retention.

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            (B) Infrastructure, including water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needs.
            (C) Housing.
            (D) Workforce training.
            (E) Health care.
            (F) Local planning.
            (G) Land use.
            (H) Other rural development issues, as determined by the council.
        (2) Beginning in 2001, submit before December 1 of each year an annual report to the legislative council. A report submitted under this section is intended to do the following:
            (A) Inform the general assembly of the council's work during the period covered by the report.
            (B) Assist the general assembly in monitoring issues affecting rural communities and responding to the needs of rural residents.
        (3) Testify concerning rural development issues before any standing committee or study committee established by the general assembly, as requested by the legislative council.
    SECTION 2. [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000] (a) As used in this SECTION, "council" has the meaning set forth in IC 4-4-9.5-1, as added by this act.
    (b) There is appropriated to the council from the state general fund three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) beginning July 1, 2000, and ending June 30, 2001.
    (c) The council may use money appropriated under this SECTION for the purpose of preparing the rural economic development strategy required by IC 4-4-9.5 , as added by this act.
    (d) This SECTION expires July 1, 2001.