Notice of Intended Action
Empower rural Iowa program, ch 30
ARC 8929C
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY[261]
Notice of Intended Action
Proposing rulemaking related to empower rural Iowa program
and providing an opportunity for public comment
The Economic Development Authority hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 30, “Empower Rural Iowa Program,” Iowa Administrative Code, and to adopt a new chapter with the same title.
Legal Authority for Rulemaking
This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 15.106A.
State or Federal Law Implemented
This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871; 2022 Iowa Acts, House File 2564; and 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 559.
Purpose and Summary
Pursuant to Executive Order 10, the Authority proposes to rescind Chapter 30 and to adopt a new chapter in lieu thereof. The chapter describes the eligible uses of funds appropriated to the Empower Rural Iowa program by 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871; 2022 Iowa Acts, House File 2564; and 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 559. The updated chapter will remove references to task forces associated with the Empower Rural Iowa initiative that were consolidated by Executive Order 11 (October 19, 2023). The implementation sentence will be updated to include 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 559; 2024 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2432; and Executive Order 11.
Regulatory Analysis
A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on November 27, 2024. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):
●December 20, 2024
Fiscal Impact
This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa beyond the legislation it is intended to implement.
Jobs Impact
After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.
Waivers
Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Authority for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 261—Chapter 199.
Public Comment
Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Authority no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 13, 2025. Comments should be directed to:
|
Lisa Connell |
Public Hearing
Public hearings at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:
|
March 11, 2025 |
1963 Bell Avenue |
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March 13, 2025 |
1963 Bell Avenue |
Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.
Any persons who intend to attend a public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Authority and advise of specific needs.
Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee
The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).
The following rulemaking action is proposed:
ITEM 1.Rescind 261—Chapter 30 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:
CHAPTER 30
EMPOWER RURAL IOWA PROGRAM
261—30.1(90GA,SF559,SF2432) Purpose. The empower rural Iowa initiative was created by Executive Order 3 (July 18, 2018), which directed the authority to provide staffing and administrative assistance for the initiative and its associated task forces. Executive Order 11 (October 19, 2023) amended and superseded Executive Order 3 (July 18, 2018) and restructured the initiative.
261—30.2(90GA,SF559,SF2432) Definitions. As used in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
“Authority” means the economic development authority created in Iowa Code section 15.105.
“Director” means the director of the authority.
“Empower rural Iowa initiative” or “initiative” means the initiative created by Executive Order 3 (July 18, 2018) and Executive Order 11 (October 19, 2023).
“Rural community” means either an Iowa city with a population of 20,000 or less and that is not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater, or an Iowa county that is one of the 88 least populous counties in the state.
261—30.3(90GA,SF559,SF2432) Eligible uses of funds.
30.3(1) Funds appropriated to the authority for the empower rural Iowa program shall be used to address the challenges and opportunities of rural communities. Uses of funds shall be approved by the director.
30.3(2) Eligible uses of funds include the following:
a.The rural housing needs assessment grant program administered pursuant to 261—Chapter 28;
b.The rural innovation grant program administered pursuant to 261—Chapter 29;
c.Support for entrepreneurship and cooperative business models for businesses in rural communities;
d.Leadership development training for representatives of rural communities;
e.Education and training opportunities relating to succession planning for businesses in rural communities;
f.Promotion of e-commerce opportunities for businesses in rural communities; and
g.Implementation of additional recommendations identified by the empower rural Iowa task force.
These rules are intended to implement 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 559; 2024 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2432; and Executive Order 11 (October 19, 2023).
Iowa Economic Development Authority
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- Des Moines, IA 50315
- (515) 348-6200
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Open For Comments
This notice is open for comments for 19 more day(s). If you'd like to comment, select or click the text you wish to comment on in the document, or click the button below to make a general comment about the document. Comments will be collected through 3/13/2025
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Public Hearing
Official Document
- Empower rural Iowa program, ch 30
- Published on 2/19/2025
- 7 Views , 0 Comments
- Notice of Intended Action
The official published PDF of this document is available from the Iowa General Assembly’s Administrative Rules page.
View the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for 2/19/2025.
Administrative Rule References
The following administrative rule references were added to this document. You may click a reference to view related notices.
Rule 261-30.1 Rule 261-30.2 Rule 261-30.3Iowa Code References
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Iowa Code 15.105Keywords
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Definitions Eligible uses of funds PurposeAbout
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