Glenn's staff has spent this year seeking the views of nonprofit organizations and others on how to provide greater flexibility in federal financial assistance programs, while either improving or maintaining program performance. A Glenn staffer travelled to three community briefings in Ohio that focused on local flexibility and participated in an eight week online conference dealing with devolution issues that was comprised of roughly 100 Ohio nonprofit organizations, led by the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations. There was resounding support from the Ohio nonprofit organizations for streamlining the grant application and reporting burdens imposed by federal, state, and local agencies, but uncertainty or open opposition to the other areas that the Hatfield bill had covered. Since it is limited to domestic programs, it does not cover foreign aid or assistance used in non-domestic situations. For those agencies not exempt, they must designate a lead official who will work on the tasks required by the bill.
Agencies are to develop a plan for implementation of the tasks.
These plans are to be published in the Federal Register for public comment. The final plan is to be submitted to OMB and Congress. Within three years, OMB is to report to Congress on overall implementation of the law. Additionally, OMB is to initiate a contract with the National Academy of Public Administration to evaluate the effectiveness of the law. While the July 25 draft bill may need some refinement for clarity purposes, the requirements of the draft bill appear to address the concerns that nonprofit groups have expressed over the years.