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Posted July 16, 2003

ANNUAL MEETING
and Exhibition

Monday, July 21, 2003 - Friday, July 25, 2003
Moscone North Convention Center
San Francisco, California

Preliminary Committee Agenda as of July 15, 2003

Unless otherwise indicated, all room numbers on this agenda are in the Moscone Convention Center.

8:00am - 5:00pm Moscone Center -- North Lobby - Street Level	Registration
8:30am - 10:00am Moscone Center -- 122 - Exhibit Level	Continental Breakfast for Committee Members available in the Committee meeting room (Sponsored by CropLife America.)
9:00am - 10:15am Moscone Center -- 122 - Exhibit Level	Committee Session Financing Rural Businesses In the quest to strengthen rural economies, state policymakers have a range of options to help rural businesses. This session will explore state-supported financing options -- from loans and tax incentives to seed and venture capital investments -- as well as federal funding sources. The discussion will examine the role of financing compared to other business assistance such as networking and technical assistance. Presiding Bobby GIERISCH, House Agriculture & Livestock Committee, Texas and Staff Chair, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee Speakers Beth DAVIS, President, South Dakota Rural Enterprise, Inc., South Dakota Jason HENDERSON, Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Center for the Study of Rural America, Missouri
10:30am - 11:45am Moscone Center -- 125 - Exhibit Level	Committee Session Intellectual Property Rights: From State Universities to Global Markets (Joint session with the Standing Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs) What are intellectual property rights? How do public universities ensure that research benefits communities while protecting intellectual property rights and revenues? What is the role of intellectual property in international trade? This session will consider these and other questions as well as expiring NCSL policy on intellectual property rights. Presiding Barry DENK, Executive Director, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania and Staff Vice Chair, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee Speakers Dr. Clint E. NEAGLEY, Senior Intellectual Property Officer, Technology Transfer Center, University of California-Davis, California Dr. Barbara A. BOCZAR, Senior Intellectual Property Officer, Technology Transfer Center, University of California-Davis, California Maureen WHALEN, Chief Counsel, The J. Paul Getty Trust, California
12:00pm - 1:15pm Moscone Center -- 122 - Exhibit Level	Committee Session Green Biotech: Legislative and Consumer Perspectives (Boxed lunches sponsored by the Council for Biotechnology Information.) Agricultural biotechnology -- "green" biotechnology -- purportedly can address agricultural constraints, improve nutrition, and help enhance food security. Since a spate of food safety scares in the late 1990s, European consumers have expressed concern about genetically modified foods, which impacted American farm and food exports, while American attitudes are mixed. This panel will look at perspectives toward biotechnology, in both legislative chambers and marketplace, domestically and abroad, with recent events in the regulatory, scientific, medical and health communities as a barometer of acceptance. Presiding Senator Steve MORRIS, Kansas and Vice Chair, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee Speaker Michael J. PHILLIPS, Executive Director, Food & Agriculture Section, Biotechnology Industry Organization, District of Columbia Linda THRANE, Executive Director, Council for Biotechnology Information, District of Columbia Assemblyman George A. PLESCIA, California (invited) Senator Abel TAPIA, Colorado (invited)
1:30pm - 3:00pm Moscone Center -- Esplanade Ballroom - Street Level	Opening Plenary Session Presiding Senator Angela MONSON, Oklahoma, President, NCSL Welcoming Remarks Honorable Willie BROWN, Mayor, San Francisco, California Homeland Democracy While our soldiers are fighting for democracy around the world, Americans at home need to meet the challenge of participating in our own democracy. NCSL today introduces a new publication Your Ideas Count! Representative Democracy and You to communicate the fundamental principles of our system of government. In a special ceremony, we will celebrate homeland democracy, and those who protect and promote it, by honoring legislators and legislative staff called to active duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Presentation: "Heroes" A&E Television Networks video Speaker Representative H. B. (Hunt) DOWNER, Louisiana and Brigadier General, Louisiana National Guard The American Economy in 2003 Dr. Sung Won Sohn is executive vice president and chief economic officer for Wells Fargo Banks. Dr. Sohn is frequently called upon for his views on the present and future economy. He has been a senior economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisors and has been named by Bloomberg News as one of the five most accurate economic forecasters in the United States. Speaker Dr. Sung Won SOHN, Executive Vice President and Chief Economic Officer, Wells Fargo Banks, Minnesota
3:15pm - 5:00pm Moscone Center -- 232 - East Mezzanine Level	Relevant Concurrent Session The Future of Agriculture in the United States Can the national policy of farm subsidies survive, in light of budget constraints and pressure from foreign trading partners? Or will a new policy emerge, offering agriculture difficult new opportunities and challenges to meet the demands of markets and globalization? This session will explore current and future federal and state policies regarding agriculture, and how legislatures may prepare for future changes. Presiding Senator Nancy Larraine HOFFMANN, New York Speakers Undersecretary William HAWKS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, District of Columbia Bill LYONS, Secretary, Department of Food and Agriculture, California
5:30pm - 7:00pm Moscone North	Welcome Reception (Sponsored by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers) Welcome to California! NCSL and the California Legislature celebrate the 29th NCSL Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The celebration will take place in Moscone North, San Francisco's premier meeting facility. As you enjoy delicacies from the neighborhoods of San Francisco, view the cars of the future presented by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Sit down, relax and enjoy the future!

7:30am - 9:00am Moscone Center -- Concourse - Exhibit Level	Continental Breakfast
8:00am - 5:00pm Moscone Center -- North Lobby - Street Level	Registration
8:00am - 9:15am Moscone Center -- 125 - Exhibit Level	Committee Session Promoting Development in Distressed Communities (Joint session with the Standing Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs) Policymakers representing distressed communities, whether in urban or rural America, face similar challenges related to low incomes, high unemployment and inadequate infrastructure, among many others. Panelists will explore development strategies common to both, particularly those related to improving economic conditions, including innovative uses for Community Development Block Grants. Presiding Representative Sheryl ALLEN, Utah and Vice Chair, Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee Facilitator Miriam SHARK, Senior Associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Maryland Resource People Tom COVINGTON, Executive Director, North Carolina Progress Board, North Carolina Representative Charles GEVEDEN, Kentucky Bobby GIERISCH, House Agriculture & Livestock Committee, Texas and Staff Chair, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee John RAPPA, Principal Analyst, Connecticut and Staff Chair, Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee Paul SALDAÑA, President and CEO, Tulare County Economic Development Corporation, California Hannah SHOSTACK, Principal Research Analyst, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey and Staff Vice Chair, Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee
9:30am - 10:30am Moscone Center -- 122 - Exhibit Level	Committee Session Committee Business Meeting and Roundtable The Committee will review and debate several state-federal policies: Agricultural Trade, Intellectual Property Rights in Publicly Funded Universities, Rural Strategic Investment Program, and Rural Development. Members wishing to submit amendments or new policies are encouraged to provide those to Committee staff in advance of this Business Meeting. The Committee also will engage in a roundtable discussion of the agriculture or rural policy issues emerging in their states and other matters that may be surfacing in Washington of interest to the Committee. The Committee will then plan for the 2003 Fall Forum in Washington, D.C. Presiding Representative Maxine BELL, Idaho and Chair, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee
10:30am - 11:45am Moscone Center -- 122 - Exhibit Level	Committee Session Livestock and Dairy The 2002 Farm Bill made significant changes to federal policy affecting the American dairy industry. The U.S. Congress is now reviewing and evaluating these effects. This session will examine the general state of the dairy industry and any federal plans affecting it. Presiding Representative Roger THOMAS, Kentucky and Vice Chair, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee Speakers Senator Nancy Larraine HOFFMANN, New York Janet PERRY, Animal Products Branch Chief, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, District of Columbia James TILLISON, Vice President for Special Projects, National Milk Producers Federation, California (invited)
12:00noon - 12:45pm Moscone Center -- 120-123 - Exhibit Level	Steering Committee Standing Committee Chairs should plan to attend. During lunch, the steering committee will review the policies passed out of Committee and set the calendars for Friday's Annual Business Meeting. Delegate Sheila HIXSON, Maryland Steve MILLER, Chief, Legislative Reference Bureau, Wisconsin
12:00pm - 2:00pm Moscone Center -- Esplanade Ballroom - Street Level	Legislators' Luncheon Taking the Pulse: Schools, Healthcare and Money (Sponsored by The College Board) One of the nation's best known pollsters, will take the pulse of America regarding schools, healthcare and money in a highly interactive session. Panelists on Federal-State Issues Awards presented by The College Board and the Announcement of the Bulger Award for Excellence in State Legislative Leadership will be the highlights of the lunch program. Presiding Speaker Martin STEPHENS, House of Representatives, Utah and President-Elect, NCSL Speaker Dr. Frank LUNTZ, Luntz Research Companies, Virginia
12:00pm - 2:00pm Moscone Center -- 134-135 - Exhibit Level	Legislative Staff Luncheon Developing the Next Generation of Staff Leaders; Legislative Staff Achievement Awards Presiding Gary OLSON, Director, Senate Fiscal Agency, Michigan and Staff Chair, NCSL Speaker Bruce TULGAN, Founder, Rainmaker Thinking, Connecticut
2:15pm - 4:15pm Moscone Center -- 122 - Exhibit Level	Relevant Concurrent Session Water Table: Seeking Solutions to Water Disputes (CLE Credit Available) Legislatures are being deluged with proposals to reallocate water as the drought in many states continues. It's not just farmers versus cities any more. And, as a recent federal decision to limit California's use of the Colorado River demonstrates, the implications for interstate cooperation are huge. Moderator Jim COSTA, CEO, The Costa Group, Fresno, California Speakers Senator Denise Moreno DUCHENY, California Senator David OWEN, Colorado Bennett RALEY, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, U.S. Department of the Interior, District of Columbia
	State Night

8:00am - 9:30am Moscone Center -- Exhibit Hall	Buffet Breakfast
8:00am - 5:00pm Moscone Center -- North Lobby - Street Level	Registration
9:15am - 10:30am Moscone Center -- Esplanade Ballroom - Street Level	Plenary Session Health Care Issues and Economics Presiding Delegate John HURSON, Maryland and Vice President, NCSL Dr. Uwe Reinhardt is recognized as one of the United States' leading authorities on the economics of health care. Dr. Reinhardt is the James Madison Professor of Political Economy and Professor of Economics at Princeton University. He received a Ph.D. in economics from Yale in 1970. He has received an honorary degree of Dr.Sci. from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and an honorary degree of Dr.Sci. from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine CUNY, 1994. He has been recognized through a wide range of appointments to government and service commissions. Speaker Dr. Uwe REINHARDT, James Madison Professor, Princeton University, New Jersey
10:45am - 12:15pm	Concurrent Sessions
12:30pm - 2:00pm	Republican / Democrat Luncheons
12:30pm - 2:00pm	Staff Section Luncheons
2:15pm - 5:00pm	Staff Section Meetings
2:15pm - 4:00pm Moscone Center -- 124 - Exhibit Level	Special Briefings Ethics: More than Laws and Rules (CLE Credit Available) The toughest ethical decisions public servants face are not usually choices between right and wrong. The difficult ones are the gray areas that laws and rules do not cover. In this interactive session, the audience will use case studies to learn practical tools to deal with ethical dilemmas. Facilitators Bruce FEUSTEL, NCSL Peggy KERNS, Director, NCSL Panelists Senator Lana OLEEN, Senate Majority Leader, Kansas Representative Marcus OSHIRO, Hawaii Alfred "Butch" SPEER, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Louisiana
2:15pm - 4:00pm Moscone Center -- 304 - Street Level	Special Briefings Funding Education in a Changing Environment Some states are finding it impossible to maintain K-12 funding levels. With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, the federal government is requiring states to spend significant money to meet specific mandates. This session looks at some implications of the changing federal role and how states are adjusting in a changing economy. Speakers Representative Donna BOE, Idaho Julia KOPPICH, Koppich & Associates, California Assemblyman Craig STANLEY, New Jersey Ron TOMALIS, Office of the Under Secretary, U. S. Department of Education, District of Columbia
2:15pm - 4:00pm Moscone Center -- 130 - Exhibit Level	Special Briefings Justice Technology in the 21st Century: A Roundtable Discussion Justice agencies are working to improve crime and justice information infrastructure in order to combat traditional, terrorist and cyber crime attacks. In this roundtable discussion, state legislators, state chief information officers and justice experts will discuss what new technologies are being deployed, how IT structures are becoming more standardized, and best practices in funding, developing and implementing effective crime information systems. Moderator Kelly HARRIS, SEARCH, California Speakers Lt. John AERTS, Records and Information Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California Otto DOLL, Commissioner, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, South Dakota Senator Steve KELLEY, Minnesota Representative Michael LAWLOR, Connecticut Brian LeDUC, Washington Justice Information Network, Washington Delegate Joe T. MAY, Virginia David J. ROBERTS, J&PS Global Industries Public Sector, Unisys, California
2:15pm - 4:00pm Moscone Center -- 303 - Street Level	Special Briefings Medicaid: Changes, Innovations and Cost Containment Forty-four states had Medicaid budget cost overruns in 2003. In many states this shortfall has been the single largest contribution to the states' fiscal crises. This session will examine some of the more unusual and thought-provoking initiatives states have taken to cope with the crisis. Moderator Senator Toni HARP, Connecticut Speakers Rod BETIT, Utah Department of Health, Utah Alicia K. CROWDER, R.N., Bureau of Medical Services, Mississippi Division of Medicaid, Mississippi Charlene HARRINGTON, Department of Social & Behaviorial Sciences, University of California, California Vernon SMITH, Health Management Associates, Michigan Joy Johnson WILSON, Senior Committee Director, Standing Committee on Health, NCSL
2:15pm - 4:00pm Moscone Center -- 202-210 - East Mezzanine Level	Special Briefings Red America/ Blue America: How the Changing Demography of America Shapes Policy (Sponsored by the Leadership Staff Section and the Redistricting and Elections Committee) America's population is changing fast. Hispanics will account for most of the nation's growth between 1995 and 2020. Immigration will be a predominant factor in our growth, likely to account for one out of every nine Americans by 2020. The number of retired persons is about to explode. How can legislatures prepare? Moderator Alan GREENBLATT, Staff Writer, Governing Magazine, District of Columbia Speaker Bruce CAIN, Institute of Government Studies, University of California at Berkeley, California
2:15pm - 4:00pm Moscone Center -- 302 - Street Level	Special Briefings Streamlining Sales Taxes: Restoring Fiscal Federalism, or Forfeiting State Sovereignty? (CLE Credit Available) In 2003, legislatures began to conform their state's sales tax statutes to the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. Many state officials believe that state agreement will lead Congress to give the states out-of-state collection authority and therefore maintain the sales tax as a viable revenue source. Opponents believe that states are forfeiting some state sovereignty for tax policy in order to collect new taxes on sales over the Internet. Who is right? This special briefing will feature a point/counterpoint by two leading experts. Speakers Grover NORQUIST, Americans for Tax Reform, District of Columbia Senator Steven RAUSCHENBERGER, Illinois
4:00pm - 5:00pm Moscone Center -- 228 - East Mezzanine Level	Relevant Ancillary Group Session Wine Shipping: Will the Supreme Court Decide? (CLE Credit Available) Plaintiffs are challenging laws that prohibit direct-to-consumer shipments of wine in eight states. A number of different decisions have come down from the federal district courts and these are now on appeal. The issue appears destined for the Supreme Court. Lawyers involved in the litigations will give their views on these cases. Moderator Senator Wesley CHESBRO, California Speakers Tracy GENESEN, Coalition for Free Trade, and Miller, Owen and Trost, California Craig WOLF, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America Inc., District of Columbia
6:30pm - 9:30pm Moscone West	California Social Event Join the California Host Committee for a fun and memorable experience at the Moscone West. You'll hear from Dick Bright's SRO -- one of the top party bands in San Francisco that puts on a show like no other band you've ever experienced. AND Earth Circus Entertainment -- replacing the usual circus fare with the untried, the untrue and the undreamed-of. Expect daring fashion, drama, spectacles, interactive eclectic characters, flying aerialists and dazzling costumes!

8:00am - 12:00pm Moscone Center -- North Lobby - Street Level	Registration
8:00am - 9:30am Moscone Center -- Exhibit Hall	Utah 2004 NCSL Annual Meeting Promotional Breakfast Join NCSL's Utah hosts for the kickoff of the 2004 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City!
8:00am - 9:30am Moscone Center -- 232-234 - East Mezzanine Level	Relevant Ancillary Group Session Rural Development and Environmental Protection: At Odds or in Sync? (Breakfast and session sponsored by the Corporation for Enterprise Development) Natural resource-based industries such as agriculture, timber harvesting and fishing can provide solutions to environmental challenges while generating profits for business owners. This session will explore how states can help develop sustainable enterprises that contribute to overall business growth, environmental improvements and community development. Presiding Representative Maxine BELL, Idaho and Chair, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee Speakers John BERDES, Shorebank Enterprise Pacific, Washington Representative Joe HACKNEY, House Democratic Leader, North Carolina Paul HARLAN, The Collins Companies, Oregon
9:45am - 10:45am Moscone Center -- 135 - Exhibit Level	Plenary Session Strengthening Education to Strengthen America Sponsored by the State Governmental Affairs Council Melinda Gates is the co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is dedicated to improving people's lives by sharing advances in health and learning with the global community. She will discuss her belief that we can strengthen our educational system to better prepare America's young people for college, work and citizenship. She will share her ideas on policies to make it all happen. Presiding Senator Stephen SALAND, New York and Past President, NCSL Speaker Melinda GATES, Co-founder, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Washington
11:00am - 12:30pm Moscone Center -- 134 - Exhibit Level	NCSL Annual Business Meeting All legislators and legislative staff will want to attend this centerpiece of the NCSL Annual Meeting. Other annual meeting participants are welcome as observers. The business meeting is the culmination of the conference year. It includes debate of policy resolutions that will guide NCSL's lobbying of the federal government in the coming year, as well as election of NCSL's officers and executive committee and approval of the NCSL budget. Presiding Representative Spencer COGGS, Wisconsin, and Chair, NCSL Standing Committees Senator Angela MONSON, Oklahoma, and President, NCSL

 
The NCSL Standing Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development
will next meet during NCSL's Fall Forum to be held in
Washington, D.C.
December 10 - 13, 2003.

Please Plan to Attend.

For additional information about the Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, please contact either Jeremy Meadows at (202) 624-8664 or jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org, or Monica Kearns at (303) 856-1446 or monica.kearns@ncsl.org.

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