The office was created within the Executive Department in 1986 (Chapter 890) and began operations in April 1987. The agency was charged with coordinating State programs and activities relating to rural areas and providing assistance in the development of rural policies. Enabling legislation defined "rural" as counties with less than 200,000 population, a definition which included 44 counties encompassing 75 per cent of the State's land area and over 3 million people. The office's jurisdiction was later extended to rural areas in the remaining counties. The office was headed by a director appointed by the governor. Two of the office's major areas of responsibility were advocating and coordinating rural interests within State government; and reviewing proposed rules (including utility rates and regulations submitted to the Public Service Commission) to monitor their effects upon rural areas. In February 1995 the agency was directed by the governor and Division of the Budget to immediately cease operations.
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The State Office of Rural Affairs was responsible for developing recommendations for the governor and legislature on appropriate policies, programs, and long-range plans to meet the needs of the State's rural communities. To promote cooperative and integrated efforts among agencies and programs, it held statewide conferences to assess the needs of rural communities, operated a statewide information network, and conducted studies of rural affairs issues. The office promoted technical assistance to rural areas in various ways. The Rural Assistance Information Network (RAIN), a computerized directory and bulletin board, provided information on more than 1,500 federal and other financial and technical assistance programs available to rural areas along with other relevant information. The office also sponsored a network of Rural Services Institutes (RBI), located at 20 community colleges and State or private colleges/universities, to provide technical assistance, training, and information. RBI participation was voluntary and members received no State funding. The office also sponsored conferences and other meetings on topics relevant to rural areas and responded to requests seeking information or sources of assistance. The office reviewed proposed State agency rules to determine their effects on rural areas. Over the years the office was especially active in monitoring the Public Service Commission regarding its regulation of telephone, power, and other utilities serving rural communities.
L. 1986, Ch. 890.
