Effective: December 19, 2016
Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 131st General Assembly
(A) As used in this section, "organization" means a faith-based or other organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended, and provides charitable services to needy residents of this state.
(B) There is hereby established within the office of the governor the governor's office of faith-based and community initiatives. The office shall:
(1) Serve as a clearinghouse of information on federal, state, and local funding for charitable services performed by organizations;
(2) Encourage organizations to seek public funding for their charitable services;
(3) Assist local, state, and federal agencies in coordinating their activities to secure maximum use of funds and efforts that benefit people receiving charitable services from organizations;
(4) Advise the governor, general assembly, and the advisory board of the governor's office of faith-based and community initiatives on the barriers that exist to collaboration between organizations and governmental entities and on ways to remove the barriers.
(C) The governor shall appoint an executive director and such other staff as may be necessary to manage the office and perform or oversee the performance of the duties of the office. Within sixty days after being appointed, and every twelve months thereafter, the executive director shall distribute to the advisory board and review with the board a strategic plan. The executive director shall report to the board at least quarterly on proposed initiatives and policies. A report shall include the condition of the budget and the finances of the office.
(D)(1) There is hereby created the advisory board of the governor's office of faith-based and community initiatives. The board shall consist of the following members:
(a) Four individuals appointed by the governor;
(b) One member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(c) One member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;
(d) Two individuals to represent the faith-based and other nonprofit community, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one appointed by the president of the senate.
(2) Terms of the office shall be one year. Any vacancy that occurs on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(3) Members of the board are not entitled to compensation, but public members appointed by the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses that are incurred in relation to board meetings.
(4) The board shall be presided over by a chairperson and a vice-chairperson, who shall be the members of the board who are also members of the house of representatives or the senate. Annually on the first day of January, the chairpersonship and vice-chairpersonship shall alternate between the members of the house of representatives and the senate.
(E) The board shall have the following duties:
(1) Provide direction, guidance, and oversight to the office;
(2) Assist in the dissemination of information about, and in the stimulation of public awareness of, the service programs supported by the office;
(3) Review the budget and finances of the office, proposed initiatives and policies, and the executive director's annual strategic plan at board meetings;
(4) Provide feedback for and proposed modifications of the executive director's strategic plan. Within forty-five days after submitting a strategic plan, the executive director shall contact each advisory board member to obtain feedback. With the approval of the advisory board chairperson, the executive director shall lead a strategic plan discussion at the first board meeting following the distribution of the strategic plan.
(5) Publish a report of its activities and accomplishments on or before the first day of August of each year, and deliver copies of the report to the governor, the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and the president and minority leader of the senate.
(F) No member of the board or organization that the member is affiliated or involved with is eligible to receive any grant that the office administers or assists in administering.