Sponsor says HB 273 would let municipalities and first responders access certain grants; committee issues favorable report

The sponsor said HB 273 creates a limited exception allowing municipalities and first responders to be applicants for certain grants when they meet eligibility requirements, permitting cities to help first responders take advantage of available funding.

Sponsors framed the measure as correcting an unintended consequence of a 2011 attorney general opinion that, after disaster recovery funding distribution, was interpreted to bar city employees from benefiting from CDBG programs administered by their city. "Back in 2011...we received an attorney general's opinion that said that no city employees could benefit from CDBG programs run by their city...HB273 seeks to write that wrong," the sponsor said.

Committee members asked whether the bill would circumvent funding rules; the sponsor said the measure includes protections (for family members of public officials and similar safeguards) and is intended to be narrow in scope. The committee moved the measure, and with no recorded objection the bill received a favorable report and was advanced.