49-1267. Hardship grant fund

A. The hardship grant fund is established to be administered by the authority consisting of:

1. Monies received for that purpose from the United States government, including monies that are awarded to this state pursuant to title II of the clean water act and that are no longer obligated to the construction grants program.

2. Gifts, grants and other donations received for that purpose from public or private sources.

3. Monies appropriated by the legislature for the hardship grant program.

B. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated and are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.

C. The board shall administer the fund pursuant to rule and in compliance with this section and guidance from the United States government.

D. Monies in the fund may be used for the following purposes:

1. Providing hardship grants to political subdivisions or Indian tribes to plan, design, acquire, construct or improve wastewater collection and treatment facilities.

2. Providing training and technical assistance related to the operation and maintenance of wastewater systems.

E. The board shall use the monies and other assets in the fund only for the purposes authorized by this article.

F. The board shall establish a hardship grant program account and as many other accounts and subaccounts as required to administer the hardship grant fund.

G. All proceeds of hardship grant program monies that are received from the United States shall be deposited in the hardship grant fund and shall be used only to provide grants and technical assistance to political subdivisions or Indian tribes to plan, design, acquire, construct or improve wastewater collection and treatment facilities.