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2009 SESSION

097321220
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 337
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rules
on February 6, 2009)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Deeds)
Requesting the Department of Planning and Budget to advise state agencies of federal grant fund availability and to provide training opportunities for staff and other technical assistance in applying for federal grants.

WHEREAS, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission reported in 2005 that "Virginia received nearly $8 billion in federal grants in federal fiscal year 2005"; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, Virginia ranked 50th in receipt of per capita federal grants, which has not changed since 1995, and ranked second in per capita federal expenditures; and

WHEREAS, state and local governments, higher education, and nonprofit organizations in Virginia received more than $7.7 billion in grant funds during the 2002 federal fiscal year, and federal grants include such programs as Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, and federal funds for block grants, public and higher education, research, construction, and many other state and local programs and activities; and

WHEREAS, although obtaining state funds to meet federal matching requirements often is an obstacle, opportunities do exist to enhance Virginia's ability to receive additional federal grant funding; and

WHEREAS, the Commission recommended that the Department of Planning and Budget provide information concerning federal grant fund availability, staff training opportunities, and greater federal grants assistance to state program staff and other Virginia entities; and

WHEREAS, it was also recommended that state law be amended to eliminate the duplication of responsibility for providing development assistance for specific federal grant applications between the Department of Planning and Budget and the Virginia Liaison Office, thereby centralizing the grants operation process to maximize federal grant opportunities; and

WHEREAS, it is prudent, especially during fiscally challenging times, to maximize the opportunities to increase federal grants funds received by the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Department of Planning and Budget be requested to advise state agencies of federal grant fund availability and to provide training opportunities for staff and other technical assistance in applying for federal grants.

The Department of Planning and Budget shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary and report of its progress in meeting the request of this resolution no later than the first day of the 2010 Regular Session of the General Assembly.  The executive summary and report shall be submitted for publication as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.