On February 25, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted testimony before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 1364 – Office of Social Equity – Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund – Advisory Board and Modifications.
This bill would shift the administration of the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund from the Comptroller to the Office of Social Equity and impose additional rigid oversight and procedural requirements on counties regarding the distribution and use of these funds, potentially upending local best practices.
Fund dollars are allocated equitably and effectively. Several counties have established commissions to recommend fund allocations to local leadership and contract with nonprofit organizations to assist in administration and grant management. These arrangements allow for efficiency and expertise while maintaining local decision-making authority. HB 1364 introduces unnecessary complexity and burdensome requirements that could disrupt existing county-led efforts. Counties should retain the flexibility to tailor fund administration to local needs without excessive state-mandated procedures.
No county is motivated to create and support an inefficient system – they share the goal to create maximum community impact. The Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund is still in its early stages, and counties are working through initial implementation challenges. Instead of introducing a major structural change, the focus should be on identifying and addressing existing issues through clear guidance and best practices.
HB 1364’s cross-file, SB 894, was heard on March 6 in the Senate Finance Committee. Karrington Anderson testified in opposition to this bill.
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