HB2444

THE CONTEXT: Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers can establish Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCDs) to restore, conserve and protect natural resources, including lands, water and wildlife (A. R.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would establish the Natural Resource Fund Commission, membership requirements for this commission and a process for appointing voting members to this commission, prohibit two commission members from serving as an elected or appointed supervisor for an NRCD from the same geographic natural resource area, and require appointed commission members to be selected from applications submitted to the Governor, Speaker of the House, Senate President, House Minority Leader and Senate Minority Leader.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to put public resources toward the named state purpose through an accountable appropriation. It would establish the Natural Resource Fund Commission, membership requirements for this commission and a process for appointing voting members to this commission, and would also prohibit two commission members from serving as an elected or appointed supervisor for an NRCD from the same geographic natural resource area, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.