599 funding intent (language only)

Item 456 #6h

Language
Page 271, after line 29, insert:
"D.  The Department of Criminal Justice Services shall request full funding of the Aid to Localities with Police Departments (HB 599) program as part of its 2000-2002 agency budget request to the Governor and General Assembly.  For purposes of this budget request, full funding means an appropriation level commensurate with the annual general fund revenue growth each year since the initial appropriation for this program."

Explanation
(This amendment establishes a means to include requests for the Aid to Localities with Police Departments (HB 599) program in the Department of Criminal Justice Services biennial budget request. The Code of Virginia (§14.1-84.4) states that "the percentage change in the total amount of funds (in this program) to be distributed for any fiscal year from the preceding fiscal year shall be equal to the anticipated percentage change in the total general fund revenue collections for the same time period as stated in the appropriations act." The Code also states that "notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the General Assembly, through the general appropriations act, may appropriate specific dollar amounts to provide financial assistance to localities with police departments." Funding for this program has not kept pace with the growth in general fund revenues.)