BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular Session
AB 1348 (Irwin) - State Clearinghouse
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|Version: January 14, 2016 |Policy Vote: G.O. 11 - 0 |
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|Urgency: No |Mandate: No |
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|Hearing Date: June 20, 2016 |Consultant: Mark McKenzie |
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This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.
Bill
Summary: AB 1348 would establish the position of federal grant
administrator within the State Clearinghouse at the Governor's
Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to serve as the state's
primary point of contact for information on federal grants. The
bill would also require the federal grant administrator to
prepare an annual summary that includes specified information
regarding federal grant funding.
Fiscal
Impact:
OPR costs in the range of $200,000 to $300,000 annually for
two new positions and associated administrative costs.
(General Fund)
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Unknown, potential increases in federal funds to state and
local entities, to the extent the bill results in more
competitive federal grant applications.
Background: Existing law requires the State Clearinghouse, which is
located within OPR, to serve as the "State Single Point of
Contact" for coordinating state and local review of certain
federal community development-related documents, pursuant to
Presidential Executive Order 12372. In this capacity, the State
Clearinghouse coordinates the review of federal financial
assistance applications, federally-required state plans, direct
federal development activities, and federal environmental
documents. OPR is required to coordinate the development of
policies and criteria to ensure that federal grants administered
or expended by the state advance statewide environmental goals
and objectives.
Existing law requires the State Controller and all state
agencies receiving federal funds to keep an accurate account of
those moneys, and establishes the Federal Trust Fund within the
State Treasury for deposit of all federal funds, as specified.
The expenditure of moneys within the Federal Trust Fund is under
the direction of the related state agency, pursuant to the any
conditions prescribed by the Director of Finance.
Proposed Law:
AB 1348 would establish the position of federal grant
administrator within the State Clearinghouse at the Governor's
Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to serve as the state's
primary point of contact for information on federal grants
related to community, economic, and local development. The bill
authorizes the federal grant administrator to do any of the
following:
Work with state and local government officials, nonprofits,
foundations, higher education institutions, and other
interested parties on applying for and managing federal
grants.
Identify state government employees with expertise in federal
grant management.
Support the establishment of a statewide network of
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individuals who serve as points-of-contact for federal grant
opportunities, as specified.
Provide or facilitate the provision of in-person and online
training to encourage and improve the ability to pursue and
manage federal grants.
Develop and maintain information on OPR's Internet Web site
related to new federal grant opportunities, grant management
best practices, and other resources to support state, local
government, and nonprofit efforts to pursue and manage federal
grants.
AB 1348 would also require the federal grant administrator to
prepare an annual summary of the state's federal grant funding,
beginning on or before January 1, 2018, that tracks the
following during the report year:
The number of federal grants awarded to the state, including
grants awarded during the three years prior to the
establishment of the federal grant administrator.
The number of completed federal grant applications submitted
by the state.
Total federal dollars received by the state through federal
grants.
Total federal grant dollars expended by the state.
Total federal grand dollars received by school districts and
local governments in the state.
The number of training sessions hosted by the federal grant
administrator and attendance at those events.
Other relevant information regarding federal grant activities
within the state, as determined by the federal grant
administrator.
Staff
Comments: Currently, the State Clearinghouse tracks the flow of
federal resources to ensure compliance with federal
requirements. This bill would require more active involvement
from dedicated staff to coordinate state and local efforts to
pursue and manage federal grant funds. OPR indicates that the
bill will require the establishment of a federal grant
administrator position and one an additional position, with
combined salaries of approximately $165,000, plus an additional
$35,000 in resources for training, outreach, and travel
expenses. Costs for personnel benefits and operating
expenditures and equipment will likely add an additional $60,000
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to $80,000 in annual costs. As a result of increased
coordination among state and local government officials
regarding the pursuit of federal grants and other funding
opportunities, this bill is likely to result in some increases
in federal funding for the state, the magnitude of which is
unknown.
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