Amendment ID: S2223-18

Amendment 18

Municipal Innovation Grants

Mr. Tarr moves to amend the amendment in section 2B by inserting at the end thereof the following:-

“1599-7064  For a competitive, matching grant program, administered by the executive office of administration and finance, in consultation with the information technology division, to assist municipalities develop enhanced information technology infrastructure, networking devices, and increasing broadband access as defined in section 6B of chapter 40J of the General Laws; provided further, that no grants shall be awarded until the secretary of the executive office of administration and finance, in consultation with the information technology division, develops a strategic plan to ensure that the program maximizes taxpayer value; provided further that the secretary shall submit the plan to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate on or before March 1, 2015; provided further that a municipality may contribute matching funds from either a public or private source; provided further, that the secretary, in consultation with the information technology division, shall determine the criteria used to evaluate applications for the matching grant program; provided further, that such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, the commitment of the municipality to improve municipal services through the use of technology, to develop regional information technology programs, to increase public broadband access, and to produce cost savings through the use of technology……………….…$20,000,000”

And moves to further amend the bill by striking section 10 in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:-

“SECTION 10. To meet the expenditures necessary to carry out items 1599-7061, 1599-7062, and 1599-7064 of section 2B, the state treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time, but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $108,000,000.  All bonds issued by the commonwealth under this section shall be designated on their face, Information Technology and Innovation Act of 2014, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 20 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court under section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2039. All interest and payments on account of principal of these obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Bonds and interest thereon issued under the authority of this section shall be general obligations of the commonwealth.”