(a)    In this section, “block grant” means any federal grant–in–aid that:

(1)    contains consolidated funding for 1 or more programs;

(2)    includes any change in the financing of a program that includes any kind of capped allocations or specific spending targets; or

(3)    is designated by Congress as a block grant.

(b)    It is the policy of the State that the General Assembly and the Governor should consult before the Executive Branch of the State government adopts State policy on block grants.

(c)    (1)    This section is in addition to and not in derogation of any other power or duty of the General Assembly.

(2)    This section applies to the adoption of State policy to:

(i)    participate in a block grant;

(ii)    set a date on which the State will accept responsibility for a block grant; or

(iii)    transfer money between block grants.

(d)    The Governor shall send, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Legislative Policy Committee each proposal for the adoption of State policy on a block grant.

(e)    Within 60 days after the Legislative Policy Committee receives the proposal or, if the Committee sets a shorter period, within that period, the Committee:

(1)    may hold a public hearing on the proposal;

(2)    may refer the proposal to another committee for review; and

(3)    for the General Assembly, may send the Governor comments on the proposal.

(f)    The Governor may act on the proposal only after the expiration of the 60–day period or any shorter period set under subsection (e) of this section.