HB2663 HFIN FBM                        HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

FLOOR BOOK MEMO

H. B. 2663 (Creating the Rehabilitation Services Vending Program Fund.)

Sponsors:          Delegate Ashley                        Attorney:           JHJ 

Date:                    February 20, 2015                   Title:                    Ok

Fiscal Note:      No

Code:                    §18-10G-5a (amend)

Purpose: The bill would create a special revenue account called the “Rehabilitation Services Vending Program Fund.”

          Currently, government agencies wishing to provide a vending machine in a public building, must first offer the contract for operation to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The Division then issues licenses to operate the vending machines to qualifying blind individuals. The licensed blind vendor retains any income derived from the operation of the vending machine. If there is a vending machine in a public building that is not under contract with a licensed blind vendor, the Division retains the income from the operation of the vending machine, and may only use the income for maintenance and replacement of equipment, purchase of new equipment, management services, assuring a fair minimum return to licensed vendors, establishing a fund for benefits to the vendors, or for use to get federal matching funds for the program.

          The bill would create a special revenue account to deposit this income into when a vending machine is not under any contract with a licensed vendor. Currently, this income is deposited into the Division’s general operating fund. The separate fund is needed for the Division to comply with federal law.

Committee Action: The Committee reported the bill without amendment

Effective Date:           Regular