BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the adoption of New Rule I pertaining to the administration of the Community Development Block Grant Cares Act (CDBG-CV) program

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ADOPTION

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

            1. On July 29, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., the Department of Commerce will hold a public hearing via zoom to consider the proposed adoption of the above-stated rule. Interested parties may access the remote conferencing platform in the following ways:

 

            a. Video: 

 

https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/81764676652?pwd=cSsycmdOMkR5dExvVEovTWVJL3djUT09

 

Meeting ID: 817 6467 6652                        Password: 638258

 

            b. Phone:   Dial in by Telephone: 406-444-9999

 

Meeting ID: 817 6467 6652                        Password: 638258

 

2. The Department of Commerce will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the Department of Commerce no later than 5:00 p.m., July 27, 2021, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Bonnie Martello, Department of Commerce, 301 South Park Avenue, P.O. Box 200523, Helena, Montana 59620-0523; telephone (406) 841-2596; TDD 841-2702; fax (406) 841-2771; or e-mail [email protected].

 

3.  The rule proposed to be adopted provides as follows:

 

NEW RULE I  INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CARES ACT (CDBG-CV) PROGRAM APPLICATION GUIDELINES  (1) The Department of Commerce adopts and incorporates by reference the Community Development Block Grant Cares Act (CDBG-CV) Application Guidelines as rules for the Community Development Block Grant Cares Act (CDBG-CV) Program.

(2) The rules incorporated by reference in (1) relate to the application, scope, and procedures for the award of grants to cities, towns, counties, and consolidated governments.

(3)  Copies of the regulations adopted by reference in (1) may be obtained from the Department of Commerce, Community Development Division, 301 South Park Avenue, P.O. Box 200523, Helena, Montana 59620-0523, or on the Community Development Division web site at https://commerce.mt.gov/Consolidated-Plan/Documents.

 

AUTH:  90-1-103, MCA

IMP:  90-1-103, MCA

 

            REASON:  It is reasonably necessary to adopt NEW RULE I to administer the funds that were allocated to the state of Montana though the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.  In accordance with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's guidelines, the CDBG-CV funds must be used for activities that prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID-19.  In addition, 70% of the CDBG-CV funds must be used for activities that benefit low-income and moderate-income individuals.

 

            4. Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to the Department of Commerce, Legal Department, 301 South Park Avenue, P.O. Box 200501, Helena, Montana 59620-0501; telephone (406) 841-2596; TDD 841-2702; fax (406) 841-2771; or e-mail [email protected], and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., August 6, 2021.

 

5. The Office of Legal Affairs, Department of Commerce, has been designated to preside over and conduct this hearing.

 

6. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request that includes the name, e-mail, and mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies for which program the person wishes to receive notices. Notices will be sent by e-mail unless a mailing preference is noted in the request. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the contact listed in 4 above or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

7. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

8. With regard to the requirements of 2-4-111, MCA, the department has determined that the adoption of the above-referenced rule will not significantly and directly impact small businesses.

 

 

/s/ Jessica Blumberg                                   /s/ Adam Schafer                                        

Jessica Blumberg                                        Adam Schafer

Rule Reviewer                                             Deputy Director

                                                                     Department of Commerce

           

Certified to the Secretary of State June 29, 2021.