AN ACT authorizing the city of durham to make grants to businesses and private or public nonprofit organizations that serve the public interest and well‑being of the durham community and its citizens.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter VII of the Charter of the City of Durham, being Chapter 671 of the Session Laws of 1975, as amended, is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec. 128. Grants Program. – The City may use public funds to make grants to businesses and private or public nonprofit organizations only if those funds are used by the grant recipient to serve the public interest and well‑being of the Durham community and its citizens. The City shall develop policies and procedures for the evaluation of applications, disbursement of grants, and oversight of grantees which shall, at a minimum, include the following:

(1)        The grantee is engaged in a business or activity that is an essential service. For purposes of this section, the term essential service includes:

a.         Child care.

b.         Food and agriculture services.

c.         Critical retail, including grocery, hardware, and mechanics.

d.         Critical trade, including construction, electricians, and plumbers.

e.         Transportation.

f.          Personal care services, including beauty salons and barber shops.

g.         Social services provided by nongovernmental organizations.

(2)        The grantee has continuously provided the essential service for which the grant is being sought for at least two years.

(3)        The grantee submits to the City a written statement made under oath stating that the grantee does not have any overdue tax debts, as defined by G.S. 105‑243.1, at the State or local level.

(4)        The City ensures that the purpose of each grant is specified to the grantee and that the grantee agrees to any periodic reporting requirements established by the City.

(5)        The City ensures that the grant funds are spent in accordance with the purposes for which they were granted.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.