A bill to create a grant program to reimburse eligible entities for revenue lost as a result of a shutdown order; to create certain funds; to provide for the distribution of money from certain funds; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to prohibit the submission of false information and prescribe penalties; to provide remedies; and to allow the promulgation of rules.
Establishes a grant program to compensate eligible food and drink establishments for revenue losses due to shutdown orders from emergencies or disasters, including epidemics and pandemics. The bill outlines the creation of a shutdown reimbursement fund within the state treasury, detailing the distribution of funds, application, approval, compliance processes, and the roles of state governmental officers and entities in fund management. It allows for retroactive grants for losses from March 10, 2020, to July 1, 2021, due to COVID-19, excluding compensation from other relief programs. The legislation specifies fund administration, including investment, auditing, and mandates annual appropriations to fully fund eligible applications, with provisions for proportional payment reductions if appropriations are insufficient. Additionally, it includes penalties for submitting false information, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, and outlines the process for the repayment of funds obtained through false claims.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Government Operations
