This bill establishes in the department of human services a community grant advisory board ("the board") for the purpose of administering the community-based organizations grant program in this bill. This board consists of nine voting members including:  The commissioner of human services ("commissioner").  One member, appointed by the governor, who has no connection to community-based organizations and who does not fulfill any other requirements for appointment to the board.  One representative of county government, appointed by the speaker of the senate.  One representative of city government, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.  Three members, appointed by the governor, each of whom is either a current director of a community-based organization or a current member of a community-based organization board of directors at the time of the member's appointment. Such members must each reside in a separate grand division of the state.  One at large member appointed by the speaker of the senate, who at the time of the member's appointment is either a current director of a nonprofit entity or a current member of a nonprofit entity board of directors.  One at large member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who at the time of the member's appointment is either a current director of a nonprofit entity or a current member of a nonprofit entity board of directors. TERMS OF MEMBERS This bill provides that the terms for the initial board members begin on October 1, 2025, and must be staggered as follows: (i) the members appointed by the governor must serve an initial term of six years, (ii) the members appointed by the speaker of the senate must serve an initial term of five years, and (iii) the members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives must serve an initial term of four. After the expiration of members' initial terms, appointments to the board are for terms of six years and begin on July 1 and terminate on June 30, six years thereafter. This bill authorizes, at the expiration of a board member's term, the member to continue to serve until a successor is appointed or until the member is reappointed. Additionally, all members serve without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general. BOARD PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This bill provides that five board members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present, a vacancy on the board does not prevent the board from transacting business or otherwise taking an action authorized pursuant to this bill. This bill provides that the commissioner must serve as chair and the board must meet at the call of the chair. The board may elect other officers as the board deems appropriate. Additionally, the department must provide administrative support to the board. This bill requires the board to submit an annual report to legislative committees with jurisdiction over budget-related matters by March 1, 2026, and by March 1 of each subsequent year, on the status of the grant program and the allocation of grant funds. Grant recipients must provide quarterly progress reports to the board detailing how funds are being utilized. The board must conduct site visits and performance evaluations of grant recipients periodically to ensure program effectiveness. COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS GRANT PROGRAM This bill creates a community based organization grant program for the purpose of financially supporting the capacity, sustainability, and impact of eligible community-based organizations. This bill creates within the state general fund a special account to be known as the community-based organization grant fund ("the fund"), to be administered by the board. An "eligible community-based organization" means a nonprofit organization that has served communities for at least five years in the areas of economic or workforce development, education, poverty, health, housing, or social services. This bill provides that the fund is composed of money appropriated by the general assembly for the fund, and gifts, grants, and other donations received by the board for the fund. Subject to the availability of funds, the board must allocate and disperse grants to eligible community-based organizations to effectuate this bill. Grants must be awarded in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, based on the eligible community-based organization's scope, impact, and financial need. It is the legislative intent that an initial appropriation of $1 million be made in fiscal year 2025-2026 and deposited to the fund. This bill requires the state treasurer to invest moneys in the fund for the benefit of the fund in accordance with the provisions of pooled investment funds. Interest accruing on investments and deposits of the fund must be credited to and remain part of the fund. Any unencumbered moneys and any unexpended balance of the fund remaining at the end of a fiscal year do not revert to the general fund but must be carried forward until expended in accordance with this bill. Grant guidelines This bill requires the board to establish and publish guidelines for applications, including eligibility, and the award of grants. In the application, the eligible community-based organization must demonstrate a need for funding and provide a clear plan for project implementation and impact measurement, including a grant proposal outlining their mission, project goals, expected outcomes, and budget. Priority for grants must be given to projects that emphasize community-driven solutions, partnerships, and sustainability, and to eligible community-based organizations led by community members from the populations they serve.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-29-248(a), 4-29-248