Report Title:

Office of Resource Maximization

Description:

Establishes an Office of Resource Maximization in the Lieutenant Governor's office to coordinate statewide grant writing and efforts to obtain federal and private foundation grants for all departments and state agencies, to consult with the Governor on preparing the state budget, and to provide ombudsman services to encourage partnerships between state agencies and nonprofit organizations to maximize federal funding; makes appropriation. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

966

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO RESOURCE MAXIMIZATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The federal government provides grants to states to fund various programs, including health, human services, economic development, labor training, technology, and education. Examples of federal grants are the community services block grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, the energy conservation grant for low-income families from the Department of Energy, and the rural business enterprise grant of the Department of Agriculture.

Private foundations also provide grant moneys to the State for various programs and research projects. For example, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded grants to the State's executive office on aging to provide planning, education, and outreach services.

The legislature finds that grant writing and coordination is a specialized function necessitating research into available federal and private foundation funding, and expertise in writing the grant application and coordinating the flow of various grants to the recipient. The legislature further finds that establishing an office of resource maximization would assist the State in maximizing its ability to secure federal and private foundation moneys, thereby reducing the burden on the general fund to pay for needed public services and programs.

In addition to grant funding, State revenues may be increased by proper planning and evaluation of the state budget, to ensure adequate resource allocation and prioritization of programs.

The purpose of this Act is to establish an office of resource maximization within the office of lieutenant governor.

SECTION 2. Chapter 26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§26-   Office of resource maximization. (a) There is established an office of resource maximization within the office of the lieutenant governor for the purpose of:

(1) Securing federal and private foundation grants;

(2) Consulting with the governor in the preparation of the state budget under section 37-65, including advising the governor concerning adequate resource allocation and prioritization of programs;

(3) Advising each state department and agency receiving a grant on the effective administration of the grant moneys; and

(4) Providing ombudsman services to encourage state agencies to enter partnerships with nonprofit organizations to maximize receipt of federal revenues.

(b) The office of resource maximization shall be responsible for writing and coordinating applications for federal and private foundation grant moneys on behalf of state departments, state agencies, and purchase of service providers, and shall oversee the administration of those grants to comply with federal and foundation requirements.

(c) The lieutenant governor shall appoint a director to head the office of resource maximization and shall fix the director's compensation. The director may employ, without regard to chapters 76 and 89, professional and administrative support staff as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the resource maximization office."

SECTION 3. Section 37-65, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§37-65[]] Responsibilities of the governor. The governor shall direct the preparation and administration of state programs, program and financial plans, and budget. The governor shall evaluate the long-range program plans, requested budgets and alternatives to state objectives and programs; and formulate and recommend for consideration by the legislature the State's long-range plans, a proposed six-year state program and financial plan and a proposed state budget.

With respect to obtaining and administering grants from public and private sources, the governor shall consult with the office of resource maximization under section 26-  ."

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for establishment of the office of resource maximization, including the hiring of a director and professional and administrative support staff.

SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of lieutenant governor for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval;

provided that section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2003.