1188fa

    On the printed bill, delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"    Section 1. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    It is in the public interest of the state that, any state agencies, departments, or offices that provide grants and low-interest loans to support municipalities, counties, or other entities with various needs, do so in a manner that best ensures those public funds promote the continued future development of the state and its citizens. The state shall evaluate applications or requests for funds or assistance under the programs listed in section 3 of this Act, and incorporate, if not forbidden by federal law or rule, the following before making a decision to award funds or provide other assistance:

            (1)    The extent the county, where the assistance would be awarded or the benefits accrue, has prioritized new economic development activities, including a formal economic development strategy or resolution adopting targeted industries in the county, and the consistency of the strategy or resolution with the funds or assistance requested;

            (2)    If the county has adopted a system of zoning, and the extent of the fit between the county's comprehensive zoning plan and value-added agricultural development specifically, including setbacks, voting criteria, and limitations on rural residential development; and

            (3)    The extent of which the assistance and the county's economic development strategy and zoning, if applicable, promote increased utilization of agricultural commodities sourced from within the state as an input in producing value-added agricultural products.

    Section 2. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    Section 1 of this Act shall apply to any applicant for funding or assistance. The considerations of section 1 of this Act shall be given weight equal or greater to that of other factors except safety used by an agency, department, or office to render a decision. If requests for assistance are otherwise equally meritorious but all cannot receive awards due to limited funds, the requests most responsive to the considerations in section 1 of this Act shall be given preference.

    Section 3. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    Grants, loans, and other assistance subject to the provisions of section 1 of this Act include the following:

            (1)    Department of Transportation grants and loans awarded pursuant to chapter 1-44, including, county road and bridge funds or economic development road grants;

            (2)    Governor's Office of Economic Development grants and loans awarded by the Board of Economic Development pursuant to chapter 1-16G, including, loans from the revolving economic development and initiative fund, grants from the local infrastructure improvement program, and grants awarded by the Governor's Office of Economic Development under the federal community development block grant program; and
                

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            (3)    Department of Agriculture grants, loans, and guaranties awarded by the Value Added Finance Authority pursuant to chapter 1-16E or administered by the department, including, livestock nutrient management bonds, value added agribusiness relending program loans, and rural development agricultural loan participation.

    Section 4. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    The Department of Transportation, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the Department of Agriculture are hereby authorized to promulgate new rules, or amend existing rules, necessary to implement this Act.".