Bonds; create small municipalities security cameras and equipment grant program and authorize bonds to provide funds.
Impact
To facilitate the funding for this initiative, the bill creates a dedicated 'Small Municipalities Security Cameras and Equipment Fund' in the state treasury. The program will offer grants covering up to 75% of project costs, with a cap of $30,000 per municipality in a calendar year. Furthermore, the bill allows for the issuance of up to $5 million in state general obligation bonds to finance this fund, ensuring municipalities have access to the necessary resources for these projects.
Summary
House Bill 921 establishes a grant program to assist small municipalities in acquiring and installing security cameras and related equipment. The bill aims to enhance local security measures by providing financial assistance to towns with populations of 5,000 or less, enabling them to improve public safety infrastructure. The Department of Public Safety will administer this grant program, which is designed to cover a significant portion of the associated costs.
Contention
While the bill provides a structured approach to enhance security in small municipalities, discussions surrounding its implementation may raise certain points of contention. These could include concerns about equitable access to grants, the administrative burden on municipalities applying for funding, and considerations regarding the long-term maintenance of the equipment funded through these grants. Furthermore, the reliance on state bonds to fund the program introduces financial obligations that may affect future budgets or priorities.