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Bill

Bill

LC 696

Provide for a publicly transparent plan related to agency grant pursuits

2025 Regular Session

Requires energy agencies to publish a publicly transparent plan for pursuing grants, with open access, clear evaluation criteria, public input, and regular reporting.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 696

Summary of LC 696 – Provide for a publicly transparent plan related to agency grant pursuits

Overview

  • Bill number: LC 696
  • Title: Provide for a publicly transparent plan related to agency grant pursuits
  • Subject: Energy
  • Status: Draft (Died in Process)
  • Introduced: October 31, 2024
  • Classification: bill

Legislative history (highlights)

  • 2024-10-31: Drafter Assigned
  • 2025-02-12: Draft On Hold
  • 2025-05-22: Draft Died in Process

Note: The actual text of the bill is not provided in the available information. The sections below reflect the bill’s stated purpose and the typical components such a bill would include, based on the title and standard legislative practice.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill appears designed to promote public transparency in how state energy-related agencies pursue grant opportunities.
  • The central aim would be to make the process by which agencies solicit, evaluate, and award grants more accessible to the public, potentially enhancing accountability and oversight.

Key provisions (inferred, given the lack of the bill’s text)

Because the specific provisions are not provided, the following are typical elements that this type of bill might include if enacted. These are speculative and intended to illustrate likely content:

  • Publicly posted grant pursuit plan: Agencies would publish a formal plan outlining goals, priority areas in energy, timelines, and strategies for pursuing grants.
  • Transparency requirements: Plans and updates would be accessible to the public (e.g., on agency websites, state portal), with clear summaries and data.
  • Evaluation and criteria: Standardized criteria for evaluating grant opportunities and selecting grantees, including transparency around scoring and decision-making.
  • Public engagement: Opportunities for stakeholder input in the planning and solicitation phases.
  • Reporting and accountability: Regular reporting on grant pursuits, solicitations issued, awards made, and outcomes achieved; metrics on efficiency and impact.
  • Enforcement/compliance: Provisions outlining who monitors compliance and what remedies or penalties apply for noncompliance (if included).
  • Effective date and transition: Timeline for implementing the plan and any phased rollouts or interim requirements.

Because text is not provided, these elements are a reasonable projection rather than a confirmed feature set.

Who would be affected

  • Energy-related agencies responsible for administering grants or grant programs.
  • Grant applicants and recipients seeking or receiving public grant funds.
  • Public and watchdog entities seeking greater visibility into grant-making processes.
  • Legislature or state authorities responsible for oversight and accountability.

Potential impact

  • Positive: Increased transparency could improve accountability, public trust, and alignment of grant programs with energy policy objectives.
  • Operational considerations: Agencies may face increased administrative workload to publish plans and maintain ongoing disclosures; potential need for new reporting systems or data collection.
  • Budgetary considerations: Possible costs for implementing reporting and publication requirements; unclear without fiscal notes.

Next steps for readers

  • Seek the actual bill text for precise provisions, definitions, and any fiscal impact statements.
  • Check for sponsor information, committee referrals, and any amendments or floor actions.
  • Monitor updated status, as the bill previously moved from “Drafter Assigned” to “On Hold” and then “Died in Process.”

If you’d like, I can format this with specific lines or pull in related statutory transparency frameworks from similar energy grant programs for comparison.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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