1.    The commissioner shall establish a livestock-friendly county designation to recognize and assist efforts to develop, maintain, or expand livestock sectors within the counties of this state.

2.    A county may apply to the commissioner to become designated as a livestock-friendly county. A county is eligible for the designation under this section if the county:

a.    Through its board of county commissioners, has adopted and enacted a resolution expressing interest in developing, maintaining, or expanding livestock production and processing sectors within the county; b.    Intends to collaborate with all appropriate political subdivisions within the county to develop, maintain, or expand livestock production and processing sectors; c.    Has submitted a plan detailing the necessary actions to develop, maintain, or expand livestock production and processing sectors; d.    Has conducted and completed a study identifying suitable locations for rural economic development, including locations for confined animal feeding operations, agricultural processing facilities, agricultural storage facilities, and other agricultural-related development; and

e.    Has disclosed other existing or planned activities and initiatives within the county to develop, maintain, or expand livestock production and processing sectors.

3.    If the commissioner determines a county has complied with the provisions in subsection 2, the commissioner publicly shall designate the county as a livestock- friendly county.

4.    To retain the designation, a county shall submit an application to the commissioner every four years.

5.    The commissioner may revoke a county’s designation as a livestock-friendly county if the commissioner determines the county no longer meets the requirements for the designation under subsection 2.

6.    The commissioner may adopt rules to effectuate the provisions of this section.