CHAPTER 29

H.P. 1332 - L.D. 1891

An Act To Provide Funding for the Low Income Home Energy

Assistance Program

Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the United States Energy Information Administration projects that heating fuels will cost between 15% and 38% more than last winter and that costs could be significantly higher if our winter is colder than normal; and

Whereas, projected funding of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or "LIHEAP," is not expected to increase sufficiently to offset the increased cost of heating fuel; and

Whereas, the average benefit under LIHEAP will be inadequate to fill a recipient's fuel tank even one time; and

Whereas, in an average winter a fuel tank would need to be filled 3 to 5 times during the heating season; and

Whereas, it is essential to the health and safety of the elderly, the disabled and the most vulnerable in our State that the State provide funds to help fill the gap between the need and the available federal resources; and