Bill Text: CA AB2252 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered


Bill Title: State grants: state grant administrator.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-09-10 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 318, Statutes of 2018. [AB2252 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB2252-Chaptered.html

Assembly Bill No. 2252
CHAPTER 318

An act to amend Section 8333 of, to add Sections 8333.1 and 8333.2 to, and to repeal and add Section 8334 of, the Government Code, relating to state government.

[ Approved by Governor  September 10, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State  September 10, 2018. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2252, Limón. State grants: state grant administrator.
The Grant Information Act of 1999 authorizes state agencies to make available on the Internet a listing, of all grants administered by that agency, that includes specified information and provides instructions on filing grant applications electronically, or on the manner in which to download, complete, and mail grant applications to the state agency, or both. The act also authorizes each state agency to make available on the Internet any printed grant application form used by the agency to award grants that are administered by that agency.
This bill would, instead, enact the Grant Information Act of 2018. The bill would require the California State Library, on or before July 1, 2020, to create a funding opportunities Internet Web portal that provides a centralized location for grant seekers to find state grant opportunities. The bill would additionally require each state agency, on or before July 1, 2020, to register every grant the state agency administers with the California State Library prior to commencing a solicitation or award process for distribution of the grant, as specified. The bill would require each state agency, on or before July 1, 2020, to provide for the acceptance of electronic applications for any grant administered by the state agency, as appropriate. The bill would additionally require the California State Library to create an annual report to the Legislature relating to the effectiveness of the Internet Web portal, as specified.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 8333 of the Government Code is amended to read:

8333.
 This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Grant Information Act of 2018. All state agencies shall implement this act in a manner that is consistent with the statewide strategy for electronic commerce as established by the Department of Information Technology.

SEC. 2.

 Section 8333.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:

8333.1.
 On or before July 1, 2020, the California State Library shall create a funding opportunities Internet Web portal that provides a centralized location for grant seekers to find state grant opportunities. The funding opportunities Internet Web portal shall include, but is not limited to, an interactive Internet Web site that is launched to include, at a minimum, information identifying every grant administered by the state and any incentive opportunities allocated by statute or in the annual budget that will provide local assistance funds. The California State Library, in consultation with the Strategic Growth Council and the State Air Resources Board, shall ensure that the Internet Web site is accessible and provides helpful information to a diverse set of potential applicants, including nonprofit and community-based organizations, and other entities that are working to support and benefit disadvantaged and low-income communities.

SEC. 3.

 Section 8333.2 is added to the Government Code, to read:

8333.2.
 (a) The California State Library shall provide an annual report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Internet Web portal, including, but not limited to, the utilization rate by state agencies, the number of grants registered, the amount of funding per grant, the number of visits to the Internet Web portal, including what parts of the Internet Web portal are visited, and whether there has been an increase in grant applications. The first annual report shall be submitted on or before January 1, 2022, and shall cover the period of July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, inclusive. Each subsequent annual report shall be submitted on or before January 1, and shall cover the previous fiscal year.
(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.

SEC. 4.

 Section 8334 of the Government Code is repealed.

SEC. 5.

 Section 8334 is added to the Government Code, to read:

8334.
 (a) (1) On or before July 1, 2020, each state agency shall register every grant the state agency administers with the California State Library prior to commencing a solicitation or award process for distribution of the grant. Each agency shall provide information regarding the grant, that assists the California State Library with cataloging the distribution of grants and provides potential applicants with understandable and consistent information about available funding opportunities, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A) The title of the grant opportunity and grant identification number.
(B) The revenue source allocated to fund the grant.
(C) The purpose of the grant.
(D) A brief description of the grant, including, but not limited to, the mechanism used to announce the availability of funding.
(E) Any eligibility requirements, including, but not limited to, any matching funds requirements.
(F) Geographic limitations, if any.
(G) A description of the total available grant funding, the number of awards, and the amounts per award.
(H) The period of time covered by the grant.
(I) The date the grant will be issued.
(J) The deadline for proposals to be submitted.
(K) Internet address for electronic submission of the proposal.
(L) Contact information of a staff member responsible for communicating the grant requirements.
(2) Each state agency shall provide a link to the California State Library’s funding opportunities Internet Web portal on the state agency’s Internet Web site.
(b) On or before July 1, 2020, each state agency shall provide for the acceptance of electronic proposals for any grant administered by the state agency, as appropriate.
(c) “Grant” as used in this chapter means any mechanism used by a state agency to distribute appropriations that have been allocated for the purpose of financial assistance through a competitive or first-come award process. The term shall include loans and federal assistance funds that are administered by a state agency. The term shall not include the procurement of goods or services for a state agency nor the acquisition, construction, alteration, improvement, or repair of real property for a state agency.
(d) The Government Operations Agency shall assist the California State Library with state agency compliance and creating streamlined processes, as appropriate.