One hundred green lights came on in the room. Not a single red light was among them. It was all systems go for what was about to become landmark legislation in the State of Iowa. Three short years later it would be recognized as one of the nation's most responsive and progressive environmental programs in recent times. Its formal name is Resource Enhancement And Protection. Most people simply call it REAP.
Legislative History
Those green lights are in the House Chambers in Iowa's State Capitol. Tuesday, April 25, 1989 was when they were turned on, indicating that all 100 members of Iowa's House of Representatives voted "yea" for the REAP bill. No party lines were drawn. Democrats and Republicans alike were pleased with what they saw in the bill.
The bill then went to the Iowa Senate for its action. The Senate, after some refinements which are best classified as fine tuning, passed the bill on May 2, 1989 with a vote of 40 "yeas" and 6 "nays." While not unanimous, the Senate also soundly approved REAP. The bill then returned to the House since the Senate made some changes. The red lights once again remained off as 91 green lights shined when the House of Representatives adopted the refined bill.
The bill was now on its way to Governor Branstad's office for his consideration and signing into law. He signed it on May 27, 1989 and the REAP legislation became effective immediately on that day. REAP was given $15 million for its first year of implementation. $8 million came from state lottery receipts and $7 million came from state tax receipts.
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REAP stands for Resource Enhancement and Protection. It is a program in the State of Iowa that invests in, as its name implies, the enhancement and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources. Iowa is blessed with a diverse array of natural and cultural resources, and REAP is likewise diverse and far reaching. Depending on the individual programs, REAP provides money for projects through state agency budgets or in the form of grants. Several aspects of REAP also encourage private contributions that help accomplish program objectives.
REAP funds go into eight different programs based upon percentages that are specified in the law.
REAP Fund Allocation
First $350,000 each year goes to Conservation Education.
1% of balance goes for DNR Administration.
The remaining balance is then divided per the pie chart.
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