[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce The Federal 
Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1998, legislation to 
streamline and improve the federal grant process.
  I'm sure all of us have heard from state and local governments or 
non-profit organizations in our districts who have grown frustrated 
with the federal grant application process. Most recently, I have heard 
concerns express from around the country about the implementation of 
the Drug-Free Communities Act, legislation I sponsored that was enacted 
last year. Anyone who has attempted to apply for a federal grant has 
grown frustrated by the miles of red tape, regulations and duplicative 
procedures they encounter. Applying for the grant is just the beginning 
of the problem--the administrative and reporting requirements attached 
to certain grants often make potential recipients wonder whether to 
apply for funding in the first place.
  The legislation we have introduced addresses these concerns. It 
requires relevant Federal agencies, with oversight from OMB, to develop 
plans within 18 months that do the following: streamline application, 
administrative, and reporting requirements; develop a uniform 
application (or set of applications) for related programs; develop and 
expand the use of electronic applications and reporting via the 
Internet; demonstrate interagency coordination in simplifying 
requirements for cross-cutting programs; and set annual goals to 
further the purposes of the Act.
  Agencies would consult with outside parties in the development of the 
plans. Plans and follow-up annual reports would be submitted to 
Congress and the Director of OMB and could be included as part of other 
management reports required under law.
  In addition to overseeing and coordinating agency activities, OMB 
would be responsible for developing common rules that cut across 
program and agency lines by creating a release form that allows grant 
information to be shared by programs. The Act sunsets in five years and 
the National Academy for Public Administrators (NAPA) would submit an 
evaluation of the Act's effectiveness just prior to its sunsetting.
  The bill builds on past efforts to improve program performance 
through the Government Performance Results Act and to reduce federal 
burdens through the Paperwork Reduction Act and Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act. It has been endorsed by state and local organizations such 
as the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State 
Legislators, the National Association of Counties, and the National 
League of Cities. Identical legislation, sponsored by Senators Glenn 
and Thompson, was recently reported out of the Senate Government 
Affairs Committee.
  This is a good government measure that will make it easier to 
interact with our federal government, and result in cost savings for 
grant applicants and federal agencies.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Hoyer, and the other 
original cosponsors for joining me in this bipartisan effort and I 
encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

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