WHEREAS, the agriculture industry is basic to the life of our state; it vitally concerns and affects the welfare, health, economic well-being and productive capabilities of all our people; and
WHEREAS, there should be made available a permanent area to demonstrate the producing of foods upon the farm by the tillers of the soil, or other agricultural or dairying processes and to view the various kinds of farming implements used in connection with the production of foods, for present and future generations of Delawareans; and
WHEREAS, it is therefore desirable to appoint the members of a Committee on the construction and operation of a Delaware Agriculture Museum, prescribe the duties and responsibilities of such a committee, and to set guidelines in the research and studies conducted by the Committee.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Delaware:
Section 1. A "Delaware Agriculture Museum Committee" is hereby created to consist of nineteen (19) members as follows; 3 members from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, 3 members from the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the State Planner, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of State, the President and 6 members of the Executive Committee of the Delaware Agriculture Museum Association Inc., and 3 members at-large, one from each County of the State of Delaware to be appointed by the Governor.
Section 2. The Committee shall conduct such studies and research as are necessary to determine the need, feasibility, location and methods of acquiring, constructing, and operating a Delaware Agriculture Museum.
Section 3. The Committee shall have a Chairman, designated from its membership by the Governor, who shall keep records of all Committee proceedings and make the same available at all times to the Governor,the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
Section 4. The Committee itself, by majority vote of all members thereof, may employ such personnel, staff and consultants, upon such terms and conditions, within the appropriations authorized, as it deems necessary.
Section 5. The Committee is empowered to seek information from every available source, to request the assistance of the executive and legislative branches of government, and to work with other agencies or persons which it, in its discretion, deems advisable. State agencies are directed to cooperate fully with the Committee. The executive and legislative branches are requested to cooperate fully with the Committee.
Section 6. The Committee shall make reports and recommendations including drafts of required legislation. The Committee shall issue interim progress reports on or before June 1, 1975 and September 15, 1975. The Final Report of the Committee shall be returned to the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate for its consideration on or before December 15, 1975.
Section 7. The sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Agriculture for use by the "Delaware Agriculture Museum Committee," at the direction of such committee, for the purpose of carrying out and accomplishing the purpose of this Act. This is a supplementary appropriation and the monies appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of funds in the General Fund of the State of Delaware not otherwise appropriated. All monies appropriated herein and unexpended shall revert to the General Fund of the State of Delaware by January 15, 1976.
Approved May 16, 1975.