(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that one-time ARPA funding appropriated for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program shall be used to prioritize and expedite services that reduce energy arrearages for low-income households.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

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(1) “ARPA funding” means funding made available under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2) for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Community Services and Development.

(c) The department shall be exempt from the following requirements for the purpose of expenditures of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding made available pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act as follows:

(1) The requirement under Section 16367.5 that the department afford local service providers maximum flexibility and control, in order for the department to facilitate the rapid distribution of ARPA funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through a consistent, statewide COVID-19 response program.

(2) Subdivision (c) of Section 16367.5 to the extent that it requires the maximum allowable amount of ARPA funding to be allocated for weatherization and related services.

(3) Subdivision (d) of Section 16367.5 to the extent that it requires the maximum allowable amount of ARPA funding to be allocated for services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs.

(4) Subdivision (e) of Section 16367.5 to the extent that it requires at least 5 percent of ARPA funding to be reserved for the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, outreach, and related services requirements.

(5) Subdivision (h) of Section 16367.5 for the purpose of enhancing the department’s ability to direct ARPA funding towards households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

(6) Subdivision (i) of Section 16367.5 to the extent that it requires at least 5 percent of ARPA funding to be allocated for operating the direct home energy assistance payment program.

(d) No ARPA funding to which this section applies shall be utilized for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program weatherization services in order to maximize the amount of ARPA funds used to reduce energy arrearages for eligible households.

(e) Upon the execution of contracts for ARPA funding with local service providers, the department shall report to the Legislature and shall post to the department’s website the following information by local service provider area:

(1) Total allocation.

(2) Allocation by service category.

(f) Beginning six months after the execution of contracts for ARPA funding with local service providers, and every six months thereafter until funding is exhausted, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature that includes all of the following information by local service provider area:

(1) Total allocation.

(2) Allocation by service category.

(3) Total expenditures.

(4) Expenditures by service category.

(5) Households served.

(6) Households served by service category.

(g) All expenditures of ARPA funding to which this section applies shall be made in accordance with federal law.

(h)  This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 8. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)