(a) The Governor shall have the authority to designate the state agency responsible for the administration and disbursement of funds received by the State of Arkansas under the Victims of Crime Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 10601 -- 10605, the STOP Violence Against Women Act, 42 U.S.C. § 13701, and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, 42 U.S.C. § 10401 et seq., in the manner authorized by federal law.
(b) The state agency designated by the Governor under this section shall not disburse Victims of Crime Act, STOP Violence Against Women Act, or Family Violence Prevention and Services Act funds without providing an opportunity for subgrantee qualification selection assistance and programmatic support by the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission and the Grant Advisory Board.
(c) (1) The Grant Advisory Board is established under this section to assist potential beneficiaries of Victims of Crime Act, STOP Violence Against Women Act, or Family Violence Prevention and Services Act funds by:
(A)
(i) Providing review and advice concerning grant processes and grant funding.
(ii) If a member of the Grant Advisory Board has a financial interest in an organization seeking grant funding under subdivision (c)(1)(A)(i) of this section, the member may participate in discussion regarding the award of the grant, but the member shall not vote on the matter;
(B) Hearing grievances from the beneficiaries of those funds; and
(C) After Grant Advisory Board review, requiring the state agency to provide timely notification to the Grant Advisory Board of any revisions to existing rules and any proposed rules to be promulgated, within federal guidelines, by the state agency designated by the Governor under this section, concerning Victims of Crime Act, STOP Violence Against Women Act, or Family Violence Prevention and Services Act funds, and any applicable policies and procedures.
(2) The Grant Advisory Board shall consist of:
(A) Two (2) representatives selected by the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault;
(B) Two (2) representatives selected by the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
(C) Two (2) representatives selected by the Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocate Association;
(D) Two (2) representatives selected by the Prosecution Coordination Commission;
(E) One (1) representative selected by the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board for Law Enforcement Management Training and Education; and
(F) One (1) representative each from any other advisory body determined to be necessary by the state administrative agency, including without limitation, the elderly, non-English-speaking residents, disabled persons, members of racial or ethnic minorities, and residents of rural or remote areas.
(d) The state agency designated by the Governor under this section shall not disburse Victims of Crime Act funds without providing an opportunity for review of and advice concerning grant processes and grant funding by the Grant Advisory Board.
(e)
(1) The state agency designated by the Governor under this section shall not disburse funds under the law enforcement, prosecution, and judiciary percentages of the STOP Violence Against Women Act, without providing an opportunity for review of and advice concerning grant processes and grant funding by the Grant Advisory Board.
(2) The state agency designated by the Governor under this section shall not disburse funds under the victims services and discretionary percentages of the STOP Violence Against Women Act without providing an opportunity for review of and advice concerning grant processes and grant funding by the Grant Advisory Board.
(f) The state agency designated by the Governor under this section shall not disburse Family Violence Prevention and Services Act funds without providing an opportunity for review of and advice concerning grant processes and grant funding by the Grant Advisory Board.
(g) The state agency designated by the Governor under this section shall, after the review and recommendations of the Grant Advisory Board, promulgate rules consistent with federal law setting forth the policies and procedures for the administration and disbursement of Victims of Crime Act, STOP Violence Against Women Act, and Family Violence Prevention and Services Act funds, including policies and procedures for the participation and assistance of advisory bodies established to assist potential beneficiaries of those funds.
(h)
(1) As used in this section, "review" means an analysis, evaluation, assessment, appraisal, inquiry, inspection, or a study.
(2) "Review" does not mean the authority utilized by the General Assembly in its analysis of proposed rules or appropriations.