9-4-202 - Powers and duties of division.
9-4-202. Powers and duties of division.
(1) The division shall:
(a) assist local governments and citizens in the planning, development, and maintenanceof necessary public infrastructure and services;
(b) cooperate with, and provide technical assistance to, counties, cities, towns, regionalplanning commissions, area-wide clearinghouses, zoning commissions, parks or recreationboards, community development groups, community action agencies, and other agencies createdfor the purpose of aiding and encouraging an orderly, productive, and coordinated developmentof the state and its political subdivisions;
(c) assist the governor in coordinating the activities of state agencies which have animpact on the solution of community development problems and the implementation ofcommunity plans;
(d) serve as a clearinghouse for information, data, and other materials which may behelpful to local governments in discharging their responsibilities and provide information onavailable federal and state financial and technical assistance;
(e) carry out continuing studies and analyses of the problems faced by communitieswithin the state and develop such recommendations for administrative or legislative action asappear necessary;
(f) assist in funding affordable housing and addressing problems of homelessness;
(g) support economic development activities through grants, loans, and direct programsfinancial assistance;
(h) certify project funding at the local level in conformance with federal, state, and otherrequirements;
(i) utilize the capabilities and facilities of public and private universities and collegeswithin the state in carrying out its functions;
(j) assist and support local governments, community action agencies, and citizens in theplanning, development, and maintenance of home weatherization, energy efficiency, andantipoverty activities; and
(k) assist and support volunteer efforts in the state.
(2) The division may:
(a) by following the procedures and requirements of Title 63J, Chapter 5, Federal FundsProcedures Act, seek federal grants, loans, or participation in federal programs;
(b) if any federal program requires the expenditure of state funds as a condition toparticipation by the state in any fund, property, or service, with the governor's approval, expendwhatever funds are necessary out of the money provided by the Legislature for the use of thedepartment;
(c) in accordance with Part 13, Domestic Violence Shelters, assist in developing,constructing, and improving shelters for victims of domestic violence, as described in Section77-36-1, through loans and grants to nonprofit and governmental entities; and
(d) assist, when requested by a county or municipality, in the development of accessiblehousing.
(3) (a) The division is recognized as an issuing authority as defined in Subsection9-4-502(7), entitled to issue bonds from the Small Issue Bond Account created in Subsection9-4-506(1)(c) as a part of the state's private activity bond volume cap authorized by the InternalRevenue Code of 1986 and computed under Section 146 of the code.
(b) To promote and encourage the issuance of bonds from the Small Issue Bond Accountfor manufacturing projects, the division may:
(i) develop campaigns and materials that inform qualified small manufacturingbusinesses about the existence of the program and the application process;
(ii) assist small businesses in applying for and qualifying for these bonds; or
(iii) develop strategies to lower the cost to small businesses of applying for andqualifying for these bonds, including making arrangements with financial advisors, underwriters,bond counsel, and other professionals involved in the issuance process to provide their servicesat a reduced rate when the division can provide them with a high volume of applicants or issues.
Amended by Chapter 324, 2010 General Session