2017 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 35 - Public Finance
Chapter 35-1.1 - Office of Management and Budget
Section 35-1.1-5 - Federal grants management.

§ 35-1.1-5. Federal grants management.

(a) The office of management and budget shall be responsible for managing federal grant applications, providing administrative assistance to agencies regarding reporting requirements, providing technical assistance and approving agreements with federal agencies pursuant to § 35-1-1. The director shall:

(1) Establish state goals and objectives for maximizing the utilization of federal aid programs;

(2) Ensure that the state establishes and maintains statewide federally-mandated grants management processes and procedures as mandated by the federal Office of Management and Budget;

(3) Promulgate procedures and guidelines for all state departments, agencies, advisory councils, instrumentalities of the state and public higher education institutions covering applications for federal grants;

(4) Require, upon request, any state department, agency, advisory council, instrumentality of the state or public higher education institution receiving a grant of money from the federal government to submit a report to the director of expenditures and program measures for the fiscal period in question;

(5) Ensure state departments and agencies adhere to the requirements of § 42-41-5 regarding Legislative appropriation authority and delegation thereof;

(6) Assist the state controller in managing and overseeing the disbursements of federal funds in accordance with § 35-6-42;

(7) Assist the state controller in the preparation of the statewide cost allocation plan and serve as the monitoring agency to ensure that state departments and agencies are working within the guidelines contained in the plan; and,

(8) Provide technical assistance to agencies to ensure resolution and closure of all single state audit findings and recommendations made by the Auditor General related to Federal funding.

(b) The office of management and budget shall serve as the State Clearinghouse for purposes of coordinating federal grants, aid and assistance applied for and/or received by any state department, agency, advisory council or instrumentality of the state. Any state department, agency, advisory council, or instrumentality of the state applying for federal funds, aids, loans, or grants shall file a summary notification of the intended application with the director.

(1) When as a condition to receiving federal funds, the state is required to match the federal funds, a statement shall be filed with the notice of intent or summary of the application stating:

(i) The amount and source of state funds needed for matching purposes;

(ii) The length of time the matching funds shall be required;

(iii) The growth of the program;

(iv) How the program will be evaluated;

(v) What action will be necessary should the federal funds be canceled, curtailed, or restricted; and,

(vi) Any other financial and program management data required by the office or by law.

(2) Except as otherwise required, any application submitted by an executive agency for federal funds, aids, loans, or grants which will require state matching or replacement funds at the time of application or at any time in the future, must be approved by the director or their designated agents prior to its filing with the appropriate federal agency. Any application submitted by an executive agency for federal funds, aids, loans, or grants which will require state matching or replacement funds at the time of application or at any time in the future, when funds have not been appropriated for that express purpose, must be approved by the General Assembly in accordance with § 42-41-5. When the general assembly is not in session, the application shall be reported to and reviewed by the Director pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Director.

(3) When any federal funds, aids, loans, or grants are received by any state department, agency, advisory council or instrumentality of the state, a report of the amount of funds received shall be filed with the office; and this report shall specify the amount of funds which would reimburse an agency for indirect costs, as provided for under federal OMB Circular A-87.

(4) The director may refuse to issue approval for the disbursement of any state or federal funds from the State Treasury as the result of any application which is not approved as provided by this section, or in regard to which the statement or reports required by this section were not filed.

(5) The director shall be responsible for the orderly administration of this section and for issuing the appropriate guidelines and regulations from each source of funds used.

History of Section.
(P.L. 2012, ch. 241, art. 4, § 5.)