and incomplete information related to natural
resources rights (i.e. water) and the understanding
of the aquaculture industry by financial institutions
for operating loans further deters growth. These
issues could be addressed with the development
of an Aquaculture Development Act and improved
interagency communication and cooperation.
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports aquaculture
as agriculture. We support the development of
legislation that provides authority for regulation and
administration of aquaculture by the West Virginia
Department of Agriculture. We further support the
development of rules and the creation by the WVDA
of the position of Aquaculture Coordinator, whose
responsibility it will be to chair a statewide task force
to develop an Aquaculture Development Act.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
STATE
30. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEMBERSHIP
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends the West
Virginia State Board of Education be an elected nonpartisan body with its members elected on a six-year
rotation, with three members elected every two years
to serve a six-year term. Each Congressional district
should have three representatives on the board.
31. QUALIFICATIONS FOR WEST VIRGINIA
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
The existence of a strong Department of
Agriculture is essential for growth and promotion
of existing agri-business and development of new
products and markets.
West Virginia Farm Bureau strongly supports
14 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
preserving the position of an elected Commissioner of
Agriculture. We also oppose the reduction of authority
and responsibilities of that office.
WVFB supports an amendment to the West Virginia
Constitution that clearly identifies the qualifications of
the West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture. The
qualifications should include someone who is educated
in a science of agriculture and who receives farm
status for his or her agriculture land base or files a US
IRS Schedule F with his or her Federal Income Taxes.
The farm status or Schedule F shall have been filed for
at least the five (5) years prior to holding office.
32. SUCCESSION OF GOVERNOR
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that state
statute be changed to clearly define the constitutional
process regarding who the successor will be in the
event the Governor vacates or cannot serve the
remainder of the term. Our recommendation is not to
create a new office such as Lieutenant Governor. We
recommend the President of the Senate should be the
next to serve as governor in case the office is vacated,
and should complete the current term.
33. TERM LIMITATIONS FOR ELECTED
OFFICIALS
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports term limits
for the members of the U.S. Congress and the WV
Legislature.
We propose a limit of two, six-year terms in
succession for U.S. Senators and six, two-year terms
in succession for members of the U.S. House of
Representatives. We recommend comparable 12-year
limits for members of the West Virginia Senate, House
of Delegates and State Supreme Court of Appeals.
34. OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
AND ELECTION OF STATE OFFICIALS
West Virginia Farm Bureau is opposed to the
creation of the office of Lieutenant Governor. The state
population, tax base, and requirements of this office
would not justify the creation of another executive
position.
We further recommend that all of the present
state elective offices be continued as such and that
the Executive Branch of Government should not be
expanded.