NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.





F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Knauer DATE TYPED: 01/29/99 HB 139
SHORT TITLE: Statewide Emergency Services SB
ANALYST: Burris


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
$ 1,500.0 Rec GF



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to House Bill 135



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC files



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 139 appropriates $1.5 million from the general fund to the Human Services Department (Department) to provide services to indigent persons through regional community action agencies.



Significant Issues



The appropriation is to be used to provide the following services: assistance with rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills and food bills. Priority is to be given to those persons who qualify for the Welfare-to-Work program.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



Any funds used to provide direct services to persons who qualify for the Welfare-to-Work program will qualify as maintenance of effort for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families block grant. Alternately, the funds will also qualify as match for the Welfare-to-Work block grant. But they can not qualify as both.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The Human Services Department (Department) must already track maintenance of effort appropriations as well as identify those persons eligible for the Welfare-to-Work program. Thus, designation of these funds for either program will not create administrative problems for the Department.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



Language should be added to the bill that requires the Department to ensure that all expenditures meeting the requirements for maintenance of effort or for the Welfare-to-Work program be accounted for.



LB/prr:njw