OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING AN URBAN VIOLENCE REDUCTION GRANT PROGRAM, A DATABASE OF CERTAIN PERSONS REPORTING THE LOSS OR THEFT OF A FIREARM AND FUNDING FOR THE STATE-WIDE FIREARMS TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE.
This bill:
1. establishes an urban violence reduction grant program within available appropriations,
2. directs the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to create a lost or stolen weapons database, and
3. appropriates to DPS $ 1,000,000 ($ 500,000 in each of the next two fiscal years) for its State-Wide Firearms Trafficking Task Force.
The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) must establish application procedures and administer the grant program, which consists of formula grants for the state's six largest cities and competitive grants for other urban centers.
The grants are for anti-violence programs and services targeting urban youth between ages 12 and 18. OPM can award them directly to municipalities or to designated nonprofit agencies. An agency's grant applications must include the chief elected municipal official's endorsement.
OPM may adopt implementing regulations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007, except the weapons database provision is effective October 1, 2007.
URBAN VIOLENCE REDUCTION GRANTS
The grants may be used for:
1. training on topics designed to reduce youth violence, such as problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, and peer counseling;
2. mentoring;
3. tutoring, enrichment, social, and cultural activities; and
4. athletics and recreation.
The bill requires grant recipients to involve parents and youth in program planning and operations on an ongoing basis.
Formula Grants
Table 1 shows funding levels for the state's six largest cities.
Table 1: Annual Formula Grant Funding Levels
$ 725,000 |
Bridgeport Hartford New Haven |
$ 475,000 |
New London Waterbury |
$ 200,000 |
Stamford |
The cities must submit annual plans to OPM, in the manner the agency prescribes, describing their intended use of grant funds. OPM cannot award grant funds unless it has approved the city's plan.
The bill directs OPM to proportionally reduce formula grant funding levels in any fiscal year in which the total of all grant awards exceeds appropriations.
Competitive Grants
The bill requires OPM to establish criteria for awarding grants based on competitive proposals. It must include them in the annual notices of grant availability it must publish beginning in FY 08.
OPM decides which grant proposals to fund and at what level.
DPS LOST OR STOLEN WEAPONS DATABASE
The bill requires DPS to maintain a database containing the names of lawful firearm and assault weapon owners who (1) notify law enforcement that a weapon has been lost or stolen or (2) have not notified law enforcement of a theft of loss, but have had a weapon seized or recovered by the police.
If sSB 903 is enacted (see “Related Bill” below), the database must also include lawful firearm and assault weapon owners who commit the crime or infraction of failing to notify law enforcement when a weapon is lost or stolen.
BACKGROUND
Related Bill
Substitute Senate Bill 903, reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee, creates the infraction of failing to report a lost or stolen assault weapon or firearm to the police within 72 hours. It makes intentional and repeat offenses felonies.
State-Wide Firearms Trafficking Task Force
The task force is composed of state and local law enforcement officials. It is charged with (1) reviewing the problem and effects of illegal firearms trafficking, (2) identifying and focusing resources on prosecuting traffickers, (3) tracking and recovering illegally sold or distributed firearms, and (4) coordinating activities with other law enforcement agencies.
Its policy board is authorized by law to administer appropriations and grants (CGS §§ 29-38e and 29-38f).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Judiciary Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea |
39 |
Nay |
0 |
(04/11/2007) |