2009 Kansas Code
Chapter 74 STATE BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND AUTHORITIES
Article 99e KANSAS COMMISSION ON RURAL POLICY
74-99e01. Title of act; purpose.

74-99e01

Chapter 74.--STATE BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND AUTHORITIES Article 99e.--KANSAS COMMISSION ON RURAL POLICY

      74-99e01.   Title of act; purpose. (a) K.S.A. 2009 Supp. 74-99e01 through 74-99e04, and amendments thereto, shall be known and may be cited as the Kansas commission on rural policy act.

      (b)   The legislature of the state of Kansas hereby finds and declares that:

      (1)   Rural communities provide employment, education, services and opportunities for social interaction and play a critical role in the economic viability of the state of Kansas;

      (2)   decline in these communities has resulted in the need for focused efforts by the state of Kansas to ensure their future prosperity and ability to continue to contribute to the welfare and economy of the state; and

      (3)   the needs of the citizens of the state of Kansas and the public and private entities engaged in rural and community development will be best served by a commission charged with the mission of facilitating and supporting rural development projects for the benefit of its citizens to promote the state's research, development and entrepreneurial objectives.

      (c)   The purpose for which the Kansas commission on rural policy is created is to make rural Kansas the most desirable area in which to conduct, facilitate, support and finance rural business, cultural development and entrepreneurship, and to make Kansas a national leader in the creation and implementation of strategies to foster leadership, the retention of youth, development of entrepreneurship and encouragement of local wealth generation, to create new jobs, foster economic growth, advance knowledge and improve the quality of life for the citizens of the state of Kansas. To accomplish this goal the Kansas commission on rural policy will develop recommendations for rural economic development based on national best practices and benchmarking that incorporates the following:

      (1)   Support of efforts to coordinate research and advocacy to provide tax credits and financing through community foundations and other philanthropic organizations, and to promote and finance rural entrepreneurial activity and wealth retention;

      (2)   strategies that promote an extensive network of transportation and telecommunications services to allow local economies to become fully integrated into the global economy; and

      (3)   local efforts to develop or expand meaningful leadership development programs and to promote opportunities to recruit young people to return to or establish their home and business in a rural community.

      History:   L. 2008, ch. 173, § 1; July 1.