On February 5, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Finance Committee in support of SB 217 – Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund – Alterations with amendments.
This bill modifies the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) by expanding the requirements for county plans. Additionally, SB 217 requires counties to consult with the Office of Social Equity on plan changes and report data on populations served and services provided.
MACo appreciates the bill’s intent to clarify expectations and improve alignment with the Office of Social Equity (OSE). Counties are committed to transparency and accountability and do not object to reporting requirements that demonstrate how funds are being used to advance the Fund’s core objectives. Counties are already taking meaningful steps to ensure that CRRF dollars are allocated equitably and effectively. That said, several jurisdictions have been unable to expend funds locally due to unclear statutory definitions and restrictive eligibility criteria, particularly around what constitutes “low-income” communities and where, if at all, funds may be authorized for use. To date, counties have not received sufficient clarity, which has created uncertainty and delayed meaningful investments in communities.
Many community-based organizations serve overlapping
populations that cannot be easily disaggregated, and programs often evolve over time in response to local needs. Static or highly specific reporting mandates risk becoming outdated quickly, leading to administrative burden, inaccurate or misleading data, and potential chilling effects on partnerships with community organizations.
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