Improving the Community Services Block Grant Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-3030
Sponsor: Rep. Osborne, Tom [R-NE-3]
Introduced: 2003-09-05 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance
Agriculture and Food
Authorization
Block grants
Building construction
Child nutrition
Church and social problems
Citizen participation
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Community development
Community organization
Compensatory education
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Construction costs
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crime prevention
Data banks
Department of Health and Human Services
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Education of the disadvantaged
Electronic government information
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Environmental Protection
Families
Family services
Food relief
Government lending
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Housing and Community Development
Infrastructure
Juvenile delinquency
Labor and Employment
Mentoring
Nonprofit organizations
Nutrition
Performance measurement
Poor children
Poverty
Public-private partnerships
Religion
Religious liberty
Residential rehabilitation
Rural economic development
Science, Technology, Communications
Secondary education
Sewerage
Social Welfare
Standards
Unemployment insurance
Urban affairs
Waste water treatment
Water Resources Development
Water supply
Water treatment plants
Youth services

Summary:
action_date: 2003-09-05
text: 
Improving the Community Services Block Grant Act of 2003 - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act (CSBGA) to reuthorize appropriations and revise the program.
 
Includes initiatives to improve economic conditions and mobilize new resources in rural areas to eliminate obstacles to the self-sufficiency of families and individuals in rural communities among the activities for which State plans must assure use of CSBGA grant funds.
 
Requires State plans to include assurances that the lowest performing of existing grantees, as determined by the State, will be replaced by other eligible entities.
 
Sets forth local grantee accountability and reporting requirements.
 Includes water and wastewater facility needs among those to be addressed by rural community development assistance.
action_date: 2003-10-10
text: 
Improving the Community Services Block Grant Act of 2003 - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act (CSBGA) to reauthorize appropriations and revise the program.
 
(Sec. 2) Revises CSBGA program purposes and goals to include a focus on reducing poverty and expanding opportunities for individuals and families to become economically self-sufficient. 
 
Requires eligible entities to develop and meet locally determined goals and meet State goals, standards, and performance requirements.
 
Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations for CSBGA programs.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use a specified portion of funds under CSBGA for training and technical assistance to assist States in correcting programmatic deficiencies of eligible entities. 
 
Provides for carryover into the next fiscal year of unexpended funds of eligible entities that were granted by a State for the previous fiscal year.
 
Revises requirements for opportunities for providing youth mentoring activities to encourage education and academic achievement and youth crime prevention.
 
Includes initiatives to improve economic conditions and mobilize new resources in rural areas to eliminate obstacles to the self-sufficiency of families and individuals in rural communities among the activities for which State plans must assure use of CSBGA grant funds. 
 
Requires State plans to include assurances that States will: (1) take swift action to improve performance, or when appropriate, terminate the funding of low performing eligible entities that do not meet locally determined goals, or State goals, standards and performance requirements; and (2) provide a justification to the Secretary if they continue to fund persistently low-performing eligible entities. 
 
Includes dissemination of best practices and assistance in developing reporting and electronic data systems among authorized activities of the Secretary in providing training and technical assistance to States.
 
Requires States to: (1) measure performance of local entities with regard to locally determined goals; and (2) provide information on the timeliness of the distribution of block grant funds to eligible entities and on the availability of such funds as timely advance payments for activities approved in local plans. 
 
Requires eligible entities to develop locally determined goals, including: (1) leveraging and mobilizing community resources; (2) fostering coordination of Federal, State, local, private and other assistance; and (3) promoting community involvement. Requires eligible entities to demonstrate to the State that they have met such local goals to continue their eligibility for funding.
 
Provides for coordination of CSBGA reporting requirements with all HHS programs managed by eligible entities in order to consolidate and reduce the number of reports required about individuals, families and uses of grant funds.
 
Sets forth local grantee accountability and reporting requirements. 
 
Prohibits eligible entities from discriminating on the basis of religion against current or potential program beneficiaries.
 
Revises CSBGA requirements relating to community economic development (CED) grants. Revises authorized activities under CED grants to include financial assistance for construction or substantial rehabilitation of buildings and facilities, and for loans or investments in private business enterprises owned by community development corporations (CDCs). Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for allowing: (1) funds or intangible assets acquired by CED grants to become the sole property of a CDC after 12 years if the CDC agrees to use such funds or property in ways consistent with the purposes and uses of the original grant; and (2) a CDC to carry out replacement activities which are substantially similar to, serve the same impact area, and have the same goals and objectives as the original activities for which a grant is made, if such original activities cannot be carried out due to no fault of the CDC. Includes water and wastewater facility needs among those to be addressed by rural community development assistance.
 
Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations, under CSBGA, for: (1) community food and nutrition programs; and (2) national or regional programs designed to provide instructional activities for low-income youth.

action_date: 2004-02-04
text: 
Improving the Community Services Block Grant Act of 2004 - Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act (CSBGA) to reauthorize appropriations and revise the program.
 
(Sec. 2) Revises CSBGA program purposes and goals to include a focus on reducing poverty and expanding opportunities for individuals and families to become economically self-sufficient. 
 
Requires eligible entities to develop and meet locally determined goals as well as State goals, standards, and performance requirements.
 
Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations for CSBGA programs.
 
Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2004 under CSBGA for a program of assistance relating to unemployment, which would provide an additional six months of extended temporary unemployment compensation benefits to eligible individuals. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to make grants to States from such CSBGA funds to provide financial and employment support to individuals who: (1) cannot find employment; (2) have exhausted their State unemployment benefits; and (3) can no longer receive Federal extended temporary unemployment compensation after the week of December 20, 2003. Requires eligibility criteria and benefit amounts under this new program to be the same as those for such individuals before December 20, 2003, under the Federal extended temporary unemployment compensation program (which expired as of such date).
 
Directs the Secretary to use a specified portion of funds under CSBGA for training and technical assistance to assist States in correcting programmatic deficiencies of eligible entities. 
 
Provides for carryover into the next fiscal year of unexpended funds of eligible entities that were granted by a State for the previous fiscal year.
 
Revises requirements for opportunities for providing youth mentoring activities to encourage education and academic achievement and youth crime prevention.
 
Includes initiatives to improve economic conditions and mobilize new resources in rural areas to eliminate obstacles to the self-sufficiency of families and individuals in rural communities among the activities for which State plans must assure use of CSBGA grant funds. 
 
Requires State plans to include assurances that States will: (1) take swift action to improve performance, or when appropriate, terminate the funding of low-performing eligible entities that do not meet locally determined goals, or State goals, standards and performance requirements; and (2) provide a justification to the Secretary if they continue to fund persistently low-performing eligible entities. 
 
Includes dissemination of best practices and assistance in developing reporting and electronic data systems among authorized activities of the Secretary in providing training and technical assistance to States.
 
Requires States to: (1) measure performance of local entities with regard to locally determined goals; and (2) provide information on the timeliness of the distribution of block grant funds to eligible entities and on the availability of such funds as timely advance payments for activities approved in local plans. 
 
Requires eligible entities to develop locally determined goals, including: (1) leveraging and mobilizing community resources; (2) fostering coordination of Federal, State, local, private and other assistance; and (3) promoting community involvement. Requires eligible entities to demonstrate to the State that they have met such local goals to continue their eligibility for funding.
 
Provides for coordination of CSBGA reporting requirements with all HHS programs managed by eligible entities in order to consolidate and reduce the number of reports required about individuals, families and uses of grant funds.
 
Sets forth local grantee accountability and reporting requirements. 
 
Prohibits eligible entities from discriminating on the basis of religion against current or potential program beneficiaries.
 
Revises CSBGA requirements relating to community economic development (CED) grants. Revises authorized activities under CED grants to include financial assistance for construction or substantial rehabilitation of buildings and facilities, and for loans or investments in private business enterprises owned by community development corporations (CDCs). Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for allowing: (1) funds or intangible assets acquired by CED grants to become the sole property of a CDC after 12 years if the CDC agrees to use such funds or property in ways consistent with the purposes and uses of the original grant; and (2) a CDC to carry out replacement activities which are substantially similar to, serve the same impact area, and have the same goals and objectives as the original activities for which a grant is made, if such original activities cannot be carried out due to no fault of the CDC. Includes water and wastewater facility needs among those to be addressed by rural community development assistance.
 
Extends through FY 2009 the authorization of appropriations, under CSBGA, for: (1) community food and nutrition programs; and (2) national or regional programs designed to provide instructional activities for low-income youth.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-02-05
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: On passage Passed by voice vote.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by voice vote.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3030.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: LIMITING DEBATE - By unanimous consent, debate was limited on the George Miller of California amendment to 30 minutes, to be equally divided and controlled.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the George Miller (CA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scott (VA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Scott (VA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Scott (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scott (VA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Woolsey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Woolsey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Woolsey amendment in the nature of a substitute under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3030.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Tom Latham to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 513 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3030 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 513. (consideration: CR H319-359; text of measure as reported in House: CR H325-326)
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Rule H. Res. 513 passed House.
action_date: 2004-02-03
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 513 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3030 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2003-10-10
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 186.
action_date: 2003-10-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 108-310.
action_date: 2003-10-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 108-310.
action_date: 2003-10-01
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 20.
action_date: 2003-10-01
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-10-01
text: Subcommittee on Education Reform Discharged.
action_date: 2003-09-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
action_date: 2003-09-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2003-09-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1726)
action_date: 2003-09-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-09-05
text: Introduced in House