What does Preamble of HR 3131 do?

This bill amends and reauthorizes the Community Services Block Grant Act.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 3131 do?

This bill is formally titled the Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025.

What does PURPOSES AND GOALS. of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 672(1) of the Community Services Block Grant Act. The amendment aims to reduce poverty in the United States. It supports activities of community action agencies and community services network organizations. These organizations are intended to improve the economic security of low-income and working individuals and families.

What does DEFINITIONS. of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902) by redefining several terms. The term 'agency-wide strategic plan' is defined as a plan adopted within the previous 5 years that establishes goals based on community needs assessments. The 'poverty line' is defined as the official poverty guideline calculated by the Secretary, revised annually based on the Consumer Price Index. 200 percent of the poverty line is established as an eligibility criterion for services provided through the grant program. A 'community action agency' is an eligible entity delivering multiple programs to low-income individuals and families. The 'community action plan' is a detailed budget adopted by an eligible entity for expenditures of funds. A 'community services network organization' includes States, eligible entities, and associations of such entities. An 'eligible entity' must meet specific requirements outlined in sections 673 and 686B, and may include organizations serving migrant or seasonal farm workers. The term 'private, nonprofit organization' includes religious organizations. The 'Secretary' is defined as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The term 'State' includes various U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 674 of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9903). It changes the authorization of appropriations from 'such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003' to '$1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2032' in subsection (a). Subsection (a) also replaces references to 'sections 681 and 682' with 'section 680'. Subsection (b) modifies the percentage from '1 1/2 percent' to '1 percent'. It expands the definition of eligible entities to include 'entities and other community services network organizations'. Paragraph (3) of subsection (b) is removed. A new subsection (c) is added, authorizing $40,000,000 to be appropriated for carrying out section 680(a)(2) and 680(a)(3) for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2032.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 675 of the Community Services Block Grant Act. The amendment strikes existing text and replaces it with a reference to section 672. The purpose of this change is 'for the purposes described in section 672'.

What does ALLOTMENTS AND PAYMENTS TO STATES. of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 675B of the Community Services Block Grant Act. It modifies the allotment process for states, establishing a minimum allotment of 0.5% of appropriated funds after Secretary reservations. If the remaining appropriated funds exceed $900,000,000, the minimum state allotment increases to 0.75%. The Secretary is responsible for making grants to eligible states for these allotments. Payments for grants will follow procedures outlined in 31 U.S.C. section 6503(a). States will receive allocation notifications and their first allocation amount will be available for expenditure within 30 days of an approved apportionment from the Office of Management and Budget; subsequent allocations within 30 days of the allocation period.

What does USES OF FUNDS. of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 675C of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9907). It modifies requirements for obligating funds to eligible entities, specifying a timeframe related to notice of funding availability and the state program year. States may request an exception from the grant availability requirement if funds are appropriated for less than a full fiscal year, but cannot accumulate more than one fiscal quarter's worth of funding. Funds provided to eligible entities are available for obligation during the fiscal year they are received and the following fiscal year. The section revises allowable activities for funds, linking them to the state's application and plan under section 676(b). It allows states to use remaining grant funds for training and technical assistance to eligible entities, including addressing economic insecurity and supporting innovative programs. Funds can also be used for comprehensive community needs assessments, performance measurement systems, coordinating programs for low-income families, statewide coordination, and analyzing fund distribution to identify areas of greatest need.

What does APPLICATION AND PLAN. of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 676 of the Community Services Block Grant Act. The lead agency is required to convene State agencies, coordinate information, and develop a State plan based on community action plans. The State plan development process includes holding at least one public hearing and distributing notice of the hearing and proposed plan. The State plan must address the educational and economic needs of low-income individuals and families, including facilitating access to broadband services and digital literacy training. The State plan submission deadline is updated to 2026. Eligible entities must submit community action plans that contain information on implementation, demonstrate how activities meet community needs, and achieve the purposes of the subtitle. States must ensure that personnel conducting monitoring activities have expertise in relevant programs and the role of eligible entities. States must develop a policy on board vacancies and provide guidance to eligible entities.

What does DESIGNATION AND REDESIGNATION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITIES IN UNSERVED of HR 3131 do?

This section amends Section 676A(a) of the Community Services Block Grant Act. If a geographic area within a State is not served by an eligible entity, the State lead agency can designate a new community action agency. The designated agency must be a private, nonprofit organization either located near the unserved area and already providing similar services, or a private nonprofit capable of providing a broad range of programs. The governing board of the designated entity must meet the requirements of section 676B. A service area under this subsection is treated as a community for purposes of the subtitle. If a permanent eligible entity is unavailable, the State may designate a private or public agency on an interim basis for up to one year. An interim agency must be capable of providing programs and services and demonstrate financial capacity.

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Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025 — HR. 3131

Last updated: 5/1/2025 · Introduced: 5/1/2025

Author: Glenn Thompson (R-PA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill reauthorizes and amends the Community Services Block Grant Act, aiming to reduce poverty and improve the economic security of low-income individuals and families.
It increases the annual authorization of appropriations for the program to $1 billion for fiscal years 2026 through 2032, and allocates $40 million annually for specific program activities.
The bill revises eligibility criteria, defining terms like 'poverty line' and 'eligible entity' and allowing private, nonprofit organizations, including religious organizations, to participate.
States are guaranteed a minimum allotment of 0.5% of appropriated funds, increasing to 0.75% if remaining funds exceed $900 million, and must prioritize using funds to address community needs and facilitate access to broadband services.
The bill establishes requirements for tripartite boards governing eligible entities, ensuring financial transparency, compliance with nonprofit laws, and addressing conflicts of interest.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 17 more.

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