[Laws in effect as of January 7, 2003]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 7, 2003 and December 19, 2003]
[CITE: 31USC6710]
TITLE 31--MONEY AND FINANCE
SUBTITLE V--GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 67--FEDERAL PAYMENTS
Sec. 6710. Public participation
(a) Hearings.--
(1) In general.--A unit of general local government expending
payments under this chapter shall hold at least one public hearing
on the proposed use of the payment in relation to its entire budget.
At the hearing, persons shall be given an opportunity to provide
written and oral views to the governmental authority responsible for
enacting the budget and to ask questions about the entire budget and
the relation of the payment to the entire budget. The government
shall hold the hearing at a time and a place that allows and
encourages public attendance and participation.
(2) Senior citizens.--A unit of general local government holding
a hearing required under this subsection or by the budget process of
the government shall try to provide senior citizens and senior
citizen organizations with an opportunity to present views at the
hearing before the government makes a final decision on the use of
the payment.
(b) Disclosure of Information.--
(1) In general.--By the 10th day before a hearing required under
subsection (a)(1) is held, a unit of general local government
shall--
(A) make available for inspection by the public at the
principal office of the government a statement of the proposed
use of the payment and a summary of the proposed budget of the
government; and
(B) publish in at least one newspaper of general circulation
the proposed use of the payment with the summary of the proposed
budget and a notice of the time and place of the hearing.
(2) Availability.--By the 30th day after adoption of the budget
under State or local law, the government shall--
(A) make available for inspection by the public at the
principal office of the government a summary of the adopted
budget, including the proposed use of the payment; and
(B) publish in at least one newspaper of general circulation
a notice that the information referred to in subparagraph (A) is
available for inspection.
(c) Waivers of Requirements.--A requirement--
(1) under subsection (a)(1) may be waived if the budget process
required under the applicable State or local law or charter
provisions--
(A) ensures the opportunity for public attendance and
participation contemplated by subsection (a); and
(B) includes a hearing on the proposed use of a payment
received under this chapter in relation to the entire budget of
the government; and
(2) under subsection (b)(1)(B) and paragraph (2)(B) may be
waived if the cost of publishing the information would be
unreasonably burdensome in relation to the amount allocated to the
government from amounts available for payment under this chapter, or
if publication is otherwise impracticable.
(d) Exception to 10-Day Limitation.--If the Secretary is satisfied
that a unit of general local government will provide adequate notice of
the proposed use of a payment received under this chapter, the 10-day
period under subsection (b)(1) may be changed to the extent necessary to
comply with applicable State or local law.
(Added Pub. L. 103-322, title III, Sec. 31001(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108
Stat. 1873.)
Prior Provisions
A prior section 6710, Pub. L. 97-258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1020,
related to separate law enforcement officer allocations
