Chief Patron: Ballard
Local Animal Shelter Grant Fund (language only)

Item 87 #1h

Language

Page 91, line 20, before "Out" insert "A."

Page 91, after line 29, insert:

"B.1. The Department shall establish the Local Animal Shelter Grant Fund, a special non-reverting fund to assist localities in maintaining modern and compliant shelter housing facilities. The Department is authorized to issue grants from the Fund in order to support local governments in two primary areas: (i) facilities improvements, including capital projects, equipment upgrades and programmatic changes aimed at increasing live-release rates, improving animal health, and promoting adoption services; and (ii) emergency recovery for repair of structural damage caused by catastrophic events including man-made or natural disasters.

2. The Department shall establish a matching requirement for all grant awards made from the fund. Grant applicants must submit an application to the State Veterinarian which includes either a recent compliance inspection report or a description of disaster damage, in addition to an itemized cost estimate. The Department shall promulgate formal guidelines for administration and grants from the Fund, with the guidelines prioritizing localities demonstrating the greatest financial need or those at risk of closure due to non-compliance."