7F.1 Office for state-federal relations.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish, as an independent agency, an office for state-federal relations which will develop a nonpartisan state-federal relations program accessible to all three branches of state government.

2. Definition. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "office" means the office for state-federal relations established pursuant to this section.

3. Office established. A state-federal relations office is established as an independent agency. The office shall be located in Washington D.C. and shall be administered by the director of the office who is appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate, and who serves at the pleasure of the governor. The office and its personnel are exempt from the merit system provisions of chapter 19A.

4. Office duties. The office shall:

a. Coordinate the development of Iowa's state-federal relations efforts which shall include an annual state-federal program to be presented to Iowa's congressional delegation, the sponsorship of training sessions for state government officials, and the maintenance of a management information system.

b. Provide state government officials with greater access to current information on federal legislative and executive actions affecting state government.

c. Advocate federal policies and positions which benefit the state or are important to state government.

d. Monitor federal budget policies and assistance programs and assess their impact on the state.

e. Strengthen the working relationships between state government officials and Iowa's congressional delegation.

f. Improve the state's ability to establish key contacts with federal officials, officials from other states, organizations, business groups, and professional associations in order to share information and form cooperative agreements.