SB356: (New Title) relative to the powers and duties of the community development finance authority.

CHAPTER 104

SB 356 – FINAL VERSION

03/11/04 0706s

2004 SESSION

04-3057

05/10

SENATE BILL 356

AN ACT relative to the powers and duties of the community development finance authority.

SPONSORS: Sen. Green, Dist 6

COMMITTEE: Energy and Economic Development

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill requires the governor and council to approve certain actions taken by the community development finance authority in administering the community development block grant program. The bill also makes technical corrections relative to the authority’s rulemaking process and employee eligibility for certain retirement benefits.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/11/04 0706s

04-3057

05/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Four

AN ACT relative to the powers and duties of the community development finance authority.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

104:1 Community Development Finance Authority; Powers and Duties Relative to Community Development Block Grant Program. Amend RSA 162-L:16 to read as follows:

162-L:16 Powers and Duties of the Authority.

I. The authority shall be responsible for the former functions, duties, and responsibilities of the office of state planning relative to administration of the community development block grant program and shall, with the consent of the committee and with the approval of the governor[:

(a) Adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:

(1) The application process.

(2) Criteria and procedures for evaluating applications submitted by eligible municipalities.

(3) Procedures for the administration of program activities and funds by grantees.

(4) Procedures for monitoring grantees and for hearings.

(b)] and council make final awards of grants and enter into contractual relationships with grantees for administering funds.

II. The authority shall provide advice and assistance to municipalities in dealing with community development concerns and problems.

III. The authority is authorized to accept federal funds to administer the small cities community development block grant program in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision.

IV. The authority shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:

(a) The application process.

(b) Criteria and procedures for evaluating applications submitted by eligible municipalities.

(c) Procedures for the administration of program activities and funds by grantees.

(d) Procedures for monitoring grantees and for hearings.

104:2 Status of State Employees; Benefits Eligibility. Amend RSA 162-L:19 to read as follows:

162-L:19 Status of State Employees. Classified employees of the office of state planning and energy programs responsible for administration of the community development block grant program shall be transferred to the community development finance authority. Any person employed in such a position at the time of the transfer shall be deemed an employee of the authority. Any individual transferred from the office of state planning and energy programs to the authority shall be entitled to continue to receive such health, dental, life insurance, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits as are afforded to classified employees of the state. Service as an employee of the authority shall be creditable service for purposes of RSA 21-I:30, II. [Such] Employees of the authority, however, shall not be classified employees of the state of New Hampshire within the meaning of RSA 21-I:49 but employees at will of the authority. The authority shall pay from its revenues the state share of such benefits. Any remaining costs of health, dental, life insurance, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits which an individual elects to receive pursuant to this section, shall be withheld from such individual’s salary as a payroll deduction. Written notice of the availability of these benefit options shall be provided to each individual upon transfer to the authority.

104:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

(Approved: May 17, 2004)

(Effective Date: July 16, 2004)