BILL ANALYSIS
Bill No: SB
907
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Roderick D. Wright, Chair
2009-2010 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
SB 907 Author: Liu
As Introduced: January 27, 2010
Hearing Date: March 23, 2010
Consultant: Art Terzakis
SUBJECT
Office of Federal Funding Information and Assistance
DESCRIPTION
SB 907 creates the Office of Federal Funding Information
and Assistance (OFFIA) within the Governor's Office of
Planning and Research (OPR) for the purpose of enhancing
California's competitive capacity to actively pursue and
secure federal funding opportunities. Specifically, this
measure:
1. Establishes the OFFIA within OPR and requires the OFFIA
to provide for the costs of performing its duties by
seeking federal funding, charging reasonable fees and
entering into partnerships with public, private, and
nonprofit entities, as allowed by other law.
2. Requires the OFFIA to do all of the following:
a. Track the state's availability and success rate of
obtaining federal funding.
b. Create and maintain an Internet Web site of federal
funding opportunities, resources and technical
information as well as an electronic mail list of
individuals and entities that want such information.
c. Provide a monthly newsletter and e-mail alert
notification process to announce new programs and grant
opportunities and maintain a public telephone line
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operated by live operators during business hours.
d. Conduct workshops, online seminars and conferences
and engage in any other activity, as deemed appropriate
and necessary, in order to increase the capacity of
eligible entities to succeed in applying for federal
funds.
3. Requires, on or before December 15, 2011, and each year
thereafter, the OFFIA to submit to the Governor and the
Legislature a report detailing the costs, activities and
related results for the past 12 months and
recommendations for improving its success in the next
year.
4. Makes legislative findings and declarations relative to
the fact that the State contributes ample revenues to the
federal government and is eligible to receive substantial
federal funding that extends beyond formula allocations
in order to assist governmental and nongovernmental
entities, improve public education, stimulate the
economy, address infrastructure issues, improve
environmental quality, and mitigate the effects of
emergencies and catastrophic events.
EXISTING LAW
Existing law establishes the Office of Planning and
Research (OPR) within the office of the Governor to, among
other duties, assist the Governor and the Governor's
cabinet in long-range planning and research.
Existing law provides that OPR shall serve as the state
comprehensive planning agency. Accordingly, OPR is
responsible for formulating long-range goals and policies
for land use, population growth and distribution, urban
expansion, land development, resource preservation, and
other factors affecting statewide development patterns.
Existing law provides that OPR shall assist in the
preparation of functional plans by state agencies and
departments which relate to protection and enhancement of
the state's environment. It ensures that all state
policies and programs conform to the state's adopted land
use planning goals and programs.
Existing law requires OPR to establish a Planning Advisory
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and Assistance Council. It is to prepare the state's
Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR) every four
years.
Existing law specifies that OPR shall be the coordinating
agency in state government for environmental justice
programs.
BACKGROUND
Executive Order S-04-09: In response to the emphasis on
transparency and accountability in the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, Governor
Schwarzenegger created the California Federal Economic
Stimulus Task Force in April of last year to: track ARRA
funding coming into the state; work with the Obama
Administration; help cities, counties, non-profits, and
others access the available funding; ensure that the
funding funneled through the state is spent efficiently and
effectively; and maintain a Web site that is frequently and
thoroughly updated for Californians to be able to track the
stimulus dollars.
The Governor also created the position of Inspector
General, named Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick to
fill this position and to act as watchdog over the ARRA
funds, and to conduct reviews and audits to ensure State
and local government compliance with the federal
requirements of ARRA and applicable state law and to bring
maximum public transparency into the oversight of these
funds as they are dispersed in California.
Purpose of SB 907: According to the author's office,
recent reports indicate that smaller to mid-sized
government agencies do not have the resources, training or
expertise available to access federal money quickly and
efficiently, or to identify and apply for other federal
funds that they may qualify to receive.
The author's office points out that the Governor's Office
has a website identifying ARRA funding opportunities
however, it does not extend to other ongoing federal
funding opportunities nor does it provide technical
assistance. Establishing the OFFIA within OPR will help
pinpoint available money for specific purposes and show how
to complete the application process successfully.
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Additionally, one of the purposes of this measure is to
attract more ARRA stimulus dollars to California.
Senate Office of Research (SOR) Report: Early this year,
the author of SB 907 requested the SOR to prepare a report
that catalogues available federal funding opportunities to
help lift working families from poverty. This document,
entitled, "Federal Funding Opportunities Related to
California's Working Families," provides information on
existing federal funding sources as well as new grant
programs. Specifically, the report provides:
A list of untapped federal funding sources in the
health and human services programs that require
minimal or no state matching funds;
Possible changes in legislation, regulation, or
program practices that would increase program
utilization and thus increase the flow of federal
dollars to those programs; and,
Some of the economic and/or multiplier effects of
drawing down these additional federal funds.
Staff Comments: The Governor's 2010-2011 Budget proposes
to eliminate the OPR and move many of the existing
functions to other agencies.
RELATED LEGISLATION
SB 1084 (Liu) 2010-11 Session. Would establish, for a
period of two years, the California Economic Security Task
Force, composed as prescribed, and appointed
in an unspecified manner. The task force would be required
to submit to the Governor and the Legislature, and make
available to the public, both an interim and a final report
on measures needed to reduce poverty in the state by 50% by
2020. (Pending in Senate B&P Committee)
SUPPORT: As of March 19, 2010:
LA/Orange County Biotech Center
OPPOSE: None on file as of March 19, 2010
FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee
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