ENGROSSED
H. B. 4631
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss and Delegates
Douglas, Michael, Martin and Trump)
[Introduced February 23, 2000; referred to the
Committee on Government Organization then Finance.]
A BILL to amend chapter five of the code of West Virginia, one
thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding
thereto a new article, designated article one-d, relating to
creating within the office of the governor, the office of
grant coordination and assistance; providing for the office to
provide assistance to and for any county, municipality or
other political subdivision of the state in applying for funds
through a grant or similar process; providing for a director
of the office; and specifying the director's authority.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That chapter five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand
nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto
a new article, designated article one-d, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 1D. OFFICE OF GRANT COORDINATION AND ASSISTANCE.
§5-1D-1. Creation of the office of grant coordination and
assistance.
(a) There is created within the office of the governor the
office of grant coordination and assistance.
(b) The office's primary function is to provide assistance to
and for any county, municipality or other political subdivision of
the state when requested by the county, municipality or other
political subdivision in applying for funds through a grant or
similar process. The office may:
(1) Facilitate contacts with any appropriate state, federal,
or local agencies, individuals or corporations responsible for
processing and reviewing applications for funds;
(2) Coordinate federal, state and local grant application
review actions and assistance programs to the extent practicable;
(3) Gather information concerning assistance programs and
grants administered by federal, state and local agencies,
individuals and corporations that may be of assistance to or of
interest to counties, municipalities or other political
subdivisions of the state. The information shall be made available
to all counties, municipalities or other political subdivisions of
the state; and
(4) Render other appropriate assistance.
§5-1D-2. Director of the office of grant coordination and assistance.
(a) The director is the executive and administrative head of
the office. The director is appointed by and serves at the will
and pleasure of the governor. The director must have substantial
knowledge and experience in grant administration and grant
application processes.
(b) The director shall:
(1) Exercise general supervision of the office;
(2) Conduct and coordinate studies of the problems units of
local government have in obtaining grants and similar assistance;
(3) Encourage and promote the units of local government in
seeking grants and similar assistance;
(4) Conduct an annual educational program for units of local
government to facilitate their seeking and obtaining grants and
similar assistance;
(5) Review applications for grants or similar assistance and
make recommendations to the applicant concerning the applications;
and
(6) Provide a program of continuing professional, technical
and specialized instruction for the personnel of the office.
This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and
underscoring have been omitted.