Tuesday, December 6

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Policy Seminars and Workshops

Trade Policy Leadership Seminar

This seminar will tackle many of the complex issues of interest to state policymakers surrounding international trade--such as global trends in agriculture and service negotiations, economic development subsidies in the WTO context, and procurement.  See www.ncsl.org/standcomm/scecon/TPLS05.htm for the seminar agenda.

Wednesday, December 7

7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Registration

8:00 am – 2:15 pm

Policy Seminars and Workshops

Trade Policy Leadership Seminar

See www.ncsl.org/standcomm/scecon/TPLS05.htm for the seminar agenda.

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Policy Seminars and Workshops

Farm Bill Reauthorization:  Listening Session with Eric Bost, Undersecretary for Food and Nutrition

Joint with Human Services & Welfare Committee and the Immigrant Policy Project

Sponsors: Human Serivces and Welfare Committee, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and the Hunger and Nutrition Partnership

Join administrators from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to discuss the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization in 2007.  This past year, USDA has held a series of public forums to seek input on the development of their recommendations for reauthorization.  This listening session will give state lawmakers an opportunity to share their concerns and suggestions related to the nutrition title of the Farm Bill and, specifically, the Food Stamp Program. 

Speakers:
Eric M. Bost, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, District of Columbia

12:00 pm – 3:45 pm 

Standing Committee Session

Site Visit to Chicago’s Agriculture High School

The Chicago High School for Agriculture Sciences (CHSAS) opened in September 1985 as the newest high school in the Chicago Public School system, at a time of concern about the future of agricultural education and the agricultural industry in general. The CHSAS curriculum focuses on agribusiness and plant and animal sciences. It also provides internships and summer employment opportunities in agribusiness and agriscience for students. Join us as we tour the school, and discuss how the school was created and the curriculum developed, any policy implications for the agriculture community, and what the benefits are to the state agriculture industry.

Presiding: Mary Flowers, State Representative and Committee Vice-Chair, Illinois

Speaker:
David Gilligan, Principal, Chicago High School of Agriculture Sciences, Chicago, Illinois

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm 

Opening Plenary Program

The Economic Outlook in an Uncertain Time

The destruction wreaked by Hurricane Katrina has left many economists uncertain about its short- and long-term effects on the nation’s economy – on energy prices, jobs, agricultural commodities and many others. A member of the Chicago Federal Reserve will offer his insights into the country’s economic outlook.

5:15 pm – 6:15 pm 

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is comprised of the Overall Standing Committee Officers and the Chair and Staff Chair, or their designee, of each Standing Committee. This meeting will review the Committees’ plans for the Forum and preview any policies anticipated for debate and make determinations regarding joint and re-referral of the resolutions. 

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Opening Reception

Thursday, December 8

7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Registration

8:00 am – 9:30 am

Plenary Breakfast

Emergency Preparedness - Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina

Preparing for and responding to disasters is clearly a joint responsibility of the federal, state and local governments. That was one of the fundamental lessons learned from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and learned again in the response to Hurricane Katrina.

9:45 am – 11:15 am

Standing Committee Session

Animal Health Issues: Avian Flu, Animal Identification and BSE

Diseases affecting animals can have serious economic consequences on agriculture and can spread to humans if not contained.  With diseases like Avian influenza and Bovine Spongiform Encephelophy (BSE, or Mad-Cow) afflicting domesticated animals, states must be prepared to handle animal public health.  This session will explore policies being formulated by the Federal government and implemented by the states on animal public health.

Presiding: Larry Mumper, State Senator and Committee Vice-Chair, Ohio

Speakers:
Dr. Bret Marsh, State Veterinarian, Indiana Board of Animal Health
Andrea Morgan, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, District of Columbia
Dr. John Scamahorn, American Veterinary Medical Association, Greencastle, Indiana

11:30 am – 1:30 pm 

Standing Committee Session

The Farm Bill Cometh

Changes in the U.S. economy, ballooning federal budget deficits, and agricultural trade developments at the World Trade Organization are encouraging many to begin thinking about the size and shape of the next Farm Bill.  Katrina and Rita recovery costs are encouraging the White House and Congress to consider rescissions in Farm Bill spending while beginning public discussions of the 2007 legislation.  The Committee will hear perspectives on what these public discussions are indicating about the direction of the 2007 Farm Bill and will then discuss what priorities for which NCSL may wish to press. 

Presiding: Jeff Kropf, State Representative and Committee Chair, Oregon

Speakers: Ann Sorensen, American Farmland Trust, Chicago, IL
Tom Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development, USDA, Washington, D.C.

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm

Standing Committee Session

Are Biofuels Real?

Technology has shown that fuels can be made from products other than petroleum.  Corn, soy, even corn stalks have been processed into diesels and other fuels.  But are these fuels a viable option for agriculture and the American consumer?  This session will explore biofuels both as a new market for farmers and as an alternative to traditional fuels. 

Presiding: Ben Ferry, State Representative and Committee Vice-Chair, Utah

Speaker:  Roya Stanley, National Renewable Energy Labs, Golden, Colorado

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm 

Standing Committee Session

The Global Market:   How is Agriculture Faring?

Joint with Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs

For years, agriculture has been a cornerstone of American trade policy and prowess. Until recently, over a quarter of all U.S. agriculture production has been destined for overseas markets. The past couple of years, however, have seen a decline in the U.S. global market share and successful challenges to American farm policy before the World Trade Organization. All the while, agriculture remains both a top priority for trade negotiators as well as the primary stumbling block in global negotiations. As these two NCSL Standing Committees prepare to consider the expiring Agricultural Trade policy, this session will review the history of agricultural trade and the current status of agriculture in the global trade discussions.

Presiding: Senator Mac Middleton, State Senator and Committee Vice-Chair, Maryland
Representative Ernest Baylor, Vice Chair of the Economic Development, Trade & Cultural Affairs Committee, Louisiana

Speakers:
Gregg Doud, Chief Economist, National Cattlemans' Beef Association, District of Columbia
Chris Preble, Director on Foreign Policy Studies, CATO, District of Columbia 

5:15 pm – 6:00 pm

Steering Committee

Standing Committee Chairs, as members of the Standing Committee, should plan to attend. The Steering Committee will review policy statements reported out of Committee and determine the calendars for the Policy Forum. 

6:15 pm – 7:45 pm 

Reception 

Friday, December 9

9:00 am – 10:45 am

Special Briefing

The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: Rebuilding a City and its People

The debates began well before the water started to recede. To rebuild New Orleans or not was the first question. The second was how? This session will look at the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding a unique and important American city—its infrastructure, economy, education system, culture and families.

9:00 am – 10:45 am

Special Briefing

Eminent Domain: Where Do We Go From Here?

The Supreme Court’s recent Kelo decision provoked an uproar among property rights advocates and others. Congress and some state legislatures moved immediately to limit use of eminent domain for economic development. The program will try to get beyond the rhetoric and emotions of the issue to explore nuances and potential effects of this important case.

9:00 am – 10:45 am

Special Briefing

The States, School and Global Competitiveness

Several states are taking innovative steps to respond to the challenges of global competitiveness. At the NCSL annual meeting in Seattle, Bill Gates said “education trumps everything” in this era of a global economy. The nation’s best seller lists are replete with books analyzing the challenges presented by such mega economic players as China and India. This session examines how states and schools are paving the way by enhancing opportunities for international education at all levels.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Policy Forum and Business Meeting

During this plenary meeting, Forum delegates will debate and vote on NCSL’s Policy Statements and Resolutions passed out of Committee this Fall Forum.

12:15 pm – 1:30 pm 

Closing Plenary Lunch

American Politics Chicago Style

Chicago politics is the stuff of mythology. For decades, Americans have been fascinated by the rough and tumble of our prototypical Midwestern city. A long-time observer of the Chicago political scene will explore the history of American politics Chicago style and bring us up-to-date on the latest iterations.

1:30 pm 

Fall Forum Adjourns