Creating an agricultural land, soils, water quality, and farm tenure initiative committee to conduct a study and make recommendations to improve the manner in which farm tenants may profitably grow agricultural products using leased agricultural land while providing for the sustainability and quality of this state’s natural resources

GENERAL. This bill creates an agricultural land, soils, water quality, and farm tenure initiative committee. The committee is required to conduct a study and make recommendations to the governor and general assembly regarding farm tenancy and methods for leasing land to profitably grow agricultural products while providing for the sustainability and quality of this state’s natural resources. COMMITTEE’S COMPOSITION. The secretary of agriculture, or a person employed by the department and designated by the secretary, is to serve as chairperson. The secretary is required to appoint a number of committee members, including a person associated with the United States department of agriculture, agricultural producers, and a private attorney familiar with leases of agricultural land. In addition, the committee must include an employee of the department of agriculture and land stewardship’s division of soil conservation and water quality, an attorney employed by the department of natural resources, a person associated with the center for agriculture and rural development, and a person appointed by the president of the conservation districts of Iowa. The committee includes interested experts in agricultural issues appointed by the secretary of agriculture who are experts in agricultural law and a person associated with the Iowa nutrient research center appointed by the president of Iowa state university of science and technology. REPORT. The committee must submit a report to the governor and general assembly not later than January 17, 2024. The report must include findings and recommendations that address measures that provide for the proper establishment and maintenance of land uses and the adoption of best management practices. The measures must: (1) protect the permanent capacity of this state’s soils to sustain plant and animal life, and improve this state’s surface water quality; and (2) limit sediment, nutrients, or other crop production inputs from being conveyed by surface water runoff or leaching from point or nonpoint sources. The report must include proposed legislation and administrative rules. REPEAL. The bill’s provisions are repealed on July 1, 2024.