CS/CS/SB 1480 — Grants for Nonprofit Organization Safety
by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee; and Senator Calatayud
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
The bill creates the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (program) in the Division of Emergency Management (division). The program’s purpose is to award grants to nonprofit entities, including houses of worship and community centers, which are at high risk for violence and hate crimes and were deemed eligible for but did not receive funding from the United State Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The grant funds may be used for hiring security personnel, training security personnel and staff on threat awareness and emergency procedures, and to purchase and install:
- Security infrastructure;
- Perimeter lighting;
- Door hardening;
- Security camera systems;
- Perimeter fencing;
- Barriers and bollards;
- Blast-resistant film; and
- Shatter-resistant glass for windows.
An owner of a facility may apply for a grant for hardening or nonhardening security measures and a renter of a facility may apply for a grant for nonhardening security measures. The bill requires the division to adopt rules to administer the program, including, but not limited to, criteria for awarding funds for hardening and nonhardening measures, the grant award process, and how to determine the need for funds to be awarded to an owner or renter of a facility that has been operational for at least 6 months or that has received a significant number of threats.
If funds are appropriated to the program, the bill provides the program’s minimum award is $10,000 and the maximum award is $150,000. The bill provides that the division may use up to 3 percent of funds appropriated for the program for administration. No funds were appropriated for the program in SB 2500 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
The program will be repealed as of January 1, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 118-0