Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grant Advisory Reporting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves bill requiring advisory board to report on grant recommendations
Summary
The committee passed a bill requiring the state advisory board that recommends grants to produce an annual report to state agencies summarizing recommended grants and the status of funds, sponsors said; the measure passed as amended on a voice vote.
State Representative Robin Lundstrom, of House District 18, told the committee Tuesday that her bill will require a named advisory board to prepare an annual report to state agencies on grants it recommends and how funds are being spent.
"Ability and transparency are important and I think it's important that this agency . . . come and present to state agencies and let us know what's going on with the money," Lundstrom said in brief remarks introducing the measure.
Lundstrom brought Bonnie Ballard, executive director of the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault (and chair of the Victim Justice Grant Advisory Board, per her introduction), to the committee during presentation. The bill's sponsor described the change as a transparency measure that asks a grants advisory body to inform state agencies annually about recommended grants and fund flows.
Committee members reviewed and adopted a proposed amendment on the floor before final consideration. Senator Sullivan moved adoption of an amendment; the committee adopted it on a voice vote. Senator Dodson later moved to pass the bill as amended and Senator Tucker seconded; the chair called for the aye votes and announced the bill passed as amended.
No one signed to speak for or against the bill during the committee's public comment slot, and the transcript records no roll-call vote on final passage in committee.
Committee discussion touched on a technical question about the meaning of "subgrantee," which the sponsor said she would clarify with staff offline; the sponsor said that question was "not pertinent to what the bill does." The bill's sponsor and supporters characterized the measure as improving reporting and transparency for grants recommended by the advisory board.
