Relating to natural resources enhancement; and appropriating money. 

Whereas efforts in advancing sustainability exist throughout state government and a Sustainability Board would complement those efforts statewide; and

Whereas it is the intent of the Governor and the Legislative Assembly, in pursuit of goals for state government, that the state should employ the knowledge, expertise and creativity of our state's citizens, build upon existing private and public efforts
throughout the state to ensure efficient and complementary results, develop voluntary, incentive-based and performance oriented systems to supplement traditional regulatory approaches, use good science to measure resource use, environmental health
and costs to determine progress in achieving desired outcomes, and establish clear measurable goals and targets to guide state efforts toward sustainability; and

Whereas initial efforts to develop and utilize sustainable practices are occurring in business and citizen organizations, and there exists an opportunity to find broad agreement and support for practical steps toward more sustainable practices in
our state; and 

Whereas it is desirable to ensure that the state implements these directions and extends these goals and actions to any entity or sector that wishes to share in these goals or actions; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of <Your State>:

SECTION 1.  Definitions for purposes of sections 1 to 9 of this Act:

(1) 'Board' means the Sustainability Board established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
(2) 'Incentive' means a benefit conferred by any government body or agency upon a person for undertaking an activity designed, at least in part, to improve, enhance or sustain the protection or quality of the environment, while at the same time having no significant, deleterious economic effect.
(3) 'Negative incentive' means a liability or cost imposed by any government body or agency other than the resultant incidental consequences of government body or agency decisions.
(4) 'Sustainability' means using, developing and protecting resources in a manner that enables people to meet current needs and provides that future generations can also meet future needs, from the joint perspective of environmental, economic and community objectives. 

(1) There is created within the < Your state's appropriate agency > a Sustainability Board consisting of the Governor or the Governor's representative and seven additional members appointed by the Governor. In appointing members, the Governor shall seek to appoint persons from all geographic regions of the state and from all communities who have a demonstrated ability to work in a cooperative and collaborative manner with people of diverse interests. The Governor shall appoint members from the following fields who have experience in matters pertinent to the effective operation of the board:

(a) One representative of business;
(b) One representative of small business;
(c) Three members with experience in natural resources, community health or economics;
(d) One member with experience in promoting sustainability; and
(e) One member with experience in promoting conservation of natural resources.

(2) The term of office of each member is four years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor whose term begins on the January 1 next following. A member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.
(3) The members of the board must be citizens of this state. Failure of a member to maintain compliance with the eligibility requirements related to the member's appointment shall result in disqualification from serving on the board.
(4) The appointment of a member of the board is subject to confirmation by the <appropriate legislative body> in the manner prescribed in <your state's code >.
(5) All agencies, departments and officers of this state are directed to assist the board in the performance of its functions and to furnish such information and advice as the members of the board consider necessary to perform their functions. 

SECTION 3.

(1) In addition to any other duties or powers provided by law, the Sustainability Board:

(a) Shall identify, evaluate and propose incentives and the removal of negative incentives for the purposes of encouraging activities that best sustain, protect and enhance the quality of the environment, economy and community for the present and future benefit of our state's citizens.
(b) Shall make recommendations and propose legislation, regulatory changes or policy modifications to agencies, the Governor, the Legislative Assembly, private entities or other bodies regarding the adoption of identified incentives and removal of identified negative incentives.
(c) Shall develop and promote policies and programs that will assist in the meeting of sustainability goals specified in section 4 of this Act.
(d) Shall submit a biennial report to the Legislative Assembly by March 31 of each odd-numbered year on the board's activities and recommendations. 
(e) May apply for and accept, from whatever source, appropriations, gifts or grants of money or other property. The board shall deposit moneys received under this paragraph into the State Treasury to the credit of the Sustainability Board Fund established under section 9 of this Act.
(f) Shall consult with and seek comment from trade associations, organizations, businesses and other groups and individuals representing pertinent interests as part of developing recommendations.
(g) Shall develop and promote proposals that jointly and mutually enhance local economies, the environment and community health for the present and future benefit of our state's citizens.
(h)Shall request that all state agencies review the sustainability of existing state policies and report back to the board with  recommendations of how any unsustainable policies could be addressed. 

(2) The Sustainability Board may not:

(a)  Circumvent, overrule, repeal or otherwise overturn rules, orders, agreements or policies of state agencies, governmental bodies or other bodies.
(c) Require or prohibit rulemaking or other regulatory functions of a state agency, governmental body or other body.

(3) Nothing in this section is meant to discourage or prohibit any person, group or committee from discussing or proposing mechanisms, including the modification of tax policies, to promote sustainability. 

(1) In conducting internal operations, state agencies shall, in cooperation with the <your state's appropriate agency>, seek to achieve the following objectives:

(a) State purchases should be made so as to serve the road, long term financial interests of our state's citizens, including ensuring that environmental, economic and societal improvements are made so as to enhance environmental, economic and societal well-being.
(b) Investments in facilities, equipment and durable goods should reflect the highest feasible efficiency and lowest life
cycle costs.
(c) Investments and expenditures should help promote improvements in the efficient use of energy, water and resources.
(d) State operations should be located in diverse locations,
including rural and distressed communities.
(e) State operations and purchases should help maintain vital
and active downtown and main street communities.
(f) State purchases should help support opportunities for
economically distressed communities and historically
underemployed people.
(g) State operations should reflect partnerships with communities and businesses.
(h) State operations should help reduce adverse impacts on
native habitats and species and help restore ecological processes.
(i) State operations should be conducted in ways that significantly increase the efficient use of energy, water and
resources.
(j) State operations and purchases should reflect the efficient
use and reuse of resources and reduction of contaminants released into the environment.

(2) In supporting sustainable communities, state agencies shall seek to enable and encourage local communities to achieve the following objectives:

(a) Resilient local economies that provide a diversity of economic opportunities for all citizens.
(b) Workers supported by lifelong education to ensure a
globally competitive workforce.
(c) An independent and productive citizenry.
(d) Youth supported by strong families and communities.
(e) Downtowns and main street communities that are active and vital.
(f) Development that wisely and efficiently uses infrastructure
investments and natural resources.
(g) Affordable housing available for citizens in community
centers.
(h) Healthy urban and rural watersheds, including habitats for
fish and wildlife.
(i) Clean and sufficient water for all uses.
(j) Efficient use and reuse of resources and minimization of
harmful emissions to the environment.

(3) Intensification of efforts to increase the economic stability of communities designated as economically distressed.

(1) One shall serve for a term ending January 1, 2003.
(2) Two shall serve for terms ending January 1, 2004.
(3) Two shall serve for terms ending January 1, 2005.
(4) Two shall serve for terms ending July 1, 2005.  

(1) The Governor, or a member of the Sustainability Board designated by the Governor, shall serve as the chairperson of the board. The board shall select one of its members as vice chairperson. The board shall determine the terms, duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices.
(2) A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum
for the transaction of business.
(3) The board shall meet at least once every three months at a place, day and hour determined by the board. The board also shall meet at other times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the board.
(4) The board may establish rules of procedure for operations. The board shall seek agreement by consensus but may adopt positions by vote pursuant to procedures adopted by the board.

(1) The Sustainability Board shall appoint a director to serve at the pleasure of the board. The appointment of the director shall be subject to confirmation by the <appropriate legislative body> as provided in <your state's code>.
(2) The designation of the director must be by written order, filed with the Secretary of State.
(3) The director shall receive such salary as may be fixed by the board. In addition, the director shall receive actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as provided in <Your state's code>.
(4) Subject to any applicable provisions of state law on personnel relations, the director shall appoint all subordinate officers and employees of the board, prescribe their duties and fix their compensation. 

SECTION 8.  In accordance with applicable provisions of <your state's code>, the Sustainability Board may adopt rules necessary for governing its operations and procedures. 

SECTION 9. 

(1) The Sustainability Board Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Sustainability Board Fund
shall be credited to the fund.
(2) All moneys received by the Sustainability Board under section 3 of this  Act shall be paid into the State Treasury and deposited into the General Fund to the credit of the Sustainability Board Fund. Such moneys are continuously appropriated to the Sustainability Board for the purposes of administering sections 1 to 9 of this Act. 

SECTION 11.  There is created within the < Your state's Department of Higher Education, Board of Regents or other agency> the Institute for Natural Resources. The Institute for Natural Resources shall be administered by <appropriate State University>.

(2) The purpose of the Institute for Natural Resources is to:

(a) Serve as a clearinghouse for scientifically based natural
resources information;
(b) Provide scientifically based natural resources information
to the public in integrated and accessible formats;
(c) Coordinate efforts with other state agencies and bodies to provide natural resources information to the public in a
comprehensive manner;
(d) Facilitate and conduct research; and
(e) Provide information and technical tools to assist decision-making on natural resources issues.

(3) Using existing resources, state agencies designated by the Governor shall enter into a memorandum of understanding, or other agreement deemed appropriate by the Governor, with the institute that defines and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the agencies in order to prevent duplication of effort and to ensure that agency resources are used efficiently.
(4) State agencies may contract with the institute to fulfill agency needs regarding the collection, storage, integration, analysis, dissemination and monitoring of natural resources information and natural resources research and training. 

SECTION 13.   Sections 1 to 11 of this 2002 Act shall be known as the Natural Resources Sustainability Act