Page:2013 North Dakota Session Laws.pdf/78

Chapter 15

Appropriations

SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION - OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET STATE AGENCY ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FUNDING POOL TRANSFER AUTHORITY - EMERGENCY COMMISSION APPROVAL. There is appropriated out of any moneys in the general fund in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $4,000,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, and from special funds derived from federal funds and other income, the sum of $4,500,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the office of management and budget for a state agency energy development impact funding pool, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2015. The funds provided under this section are considered a one-time funding item. A state agency may submit an application to the office of management and budget for a transfer of appropriation authority from the state agency energy development impact funding pool for employee housing rental assistance and temporary salary increases for employees affected by energy development. The office of management and budget, subject to emergency commission approval, shall transfer appropriation authority from the state agency energy development impact funding pool to eligible agencies for approved applications. 1. A state agency may submit an application to the office of management and budget to address rental assistance needs for employees in affected areas of the state. Spending authority is limited to six months or until the need for the assistance has ended, whichever occurs first. An agency may submit a renewal application for continued spending authority to address any continued need to provide assistance. a. As part of the application for rental assistance, the agency must identify each position within the agency that requires rental assistance. The agency shall provide a housing survey conducted by the agency or an approved statewide housing survey for the immediate geographical location appropriate to each position for which approval is being requested. The survey must include an identified difference between the state rental rate average and the rental rates for housing in the location where the employee will reside. The survey must describe the methodology used in determining rental differential for that immediate geographical location. For an existing employee or applicant already with housing, the agency must attach the employee's rental agreement from the rental property company. For a newly hired employee, the agency shall forward a copy of the rental agreement after the applicant has been hired and secured housing. The rental agreement must include the following information: (1) Rental company name. (2) Rental company address. (3) Amount of rent. (4) Effective date of lease. b. The office of management and budget shall review the application for rental assistance and make a recommendation to the emergency commission to approve or reject the request. The emergency commission shall make the final determination on the application. The applications must be reviewed on an individual position or positions basis based on documented need and affordability.