House Bill No. [insert bill number] establishes the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program by allocating $5.25 million to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation for various grant categories, including emergency projects, planning grants, irrigation development, private grants, and nonpoint source pollution reduction. The bill mandates that local governments must create and fund a capital reserve account prior to receiving grant funding, ensuring a financial commitment to infrastructure improvements. It also sets forth conditions for grant disbursement, requiring a project management plan, compliance with auditing standards, and a specified percentage of local revenues to be deposited into the capital reserve account. Grants will be prioritized and awarded sequentially until funds are depleted, with provisions for reallocating unutilized funds to lower-ranked projects.

Additionally, the bill introduces new sections for appropriating grant amounts to state entities and reauthorizes grants from previous biennia for contract completion. It amends existing rulemaking authority to include criteria for evaluating and prioritizing grants, emphasizing the need for locally provided matching funds. The bill also includes provisions for notifying tribal governments, a severability clause, and instructions for coordinating funding from other sources. Adjustments to appropriations based on demand or emergencies are permitted, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
HB0006_3(1): 85-1-612
HB0006_3(2): 85-1-612
HB0006_3(3): 85-1-612
HB0006_3(4): 85-1-612
HB0006_3(5): 85-1-612
HB0006_3(6): 85-1-612
HB0006_3(7): 85-1-612
HB0006_3: 85-1-612