JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT

We, the conferees, appointed by the respective bodies to consider and report upon the disagreeing vote on House Bill No. 1212, report as follows:

A. We recommend that the Senate Amendment be accepted.

B. We recommend that the engrossed bill be further amended as follows to resolve the matter under disagreement.

1. After line 68, engrossed

insert

2. That except as provided in the third enactment of this act, the provisions of this act shall become effective no later than the beginning of the term of the Governor elected November 8, 2005.

3. That if funding for the position and expenses of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry created by this act is included in the 2004 appropriation act passed by the General Assembly, the provisions of this act shall become effective beginning on the date set out in the appropriation act.

4. That notwithstanding the provisions of the second or third enactments of this act, effective July 1, 2004, the Governor shall appoint a Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry within the Secretariat of Commerce and Trade to administer the policies affecting the Commonwealth's agricultural and forestry interests. Such Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry shall serve until the position of Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry is filled.

Respectfully submitted,

Senator Charles R. Hawkins

Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr.

Senator W. Roscoe Reynolds

Conferees on the part of the Senate

Delegate R. Steven Landes

Delegate M. Kirkland Cox

Delegate Jackie T. Stump

Conferees on the part of the House