H.R. 596 — Report on Grant Consolidation Authority for Puerto Rico Act

This section sets forth congressional findings on the economic crisis in Puerto Rico—including its municipal bankruptcy, high poverty, reduced labor force, and recovery burdens from Hurricanes Irma, María, and Fiona; 2020 earthquakes; and COVID-19—and the resulting strain on its public sector from PROMESA fiscal requirements and federal disaster funding management. The section states the purpose of the Act to study grant consolidation to reduce that burden and maximize Puerto Rico's access to federal funding.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to specified congressional committees, not later than one year after the date of enactment, a report on the federal grant consolidation process for insular areas (i.e., territories such as Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) under 45 C.F.R. part 97, which combines multiple grants into single funding awards to simplify administration. The report must include, following consultation with Puerto Rico officials, (1) an analysis of how Puerto Rico agencies access funding from programs listed in 45 C.F.R. §97.12; (2) recommended additions to that list; (3) challenges in meeting existing funding requirements; (4) an assessment of whether extending consolidation access to Puerto Rico would address those challenges; and (5) officials' recommendations for process changes. This section further requires Puerto Rico officials to respond to Comptroller General information requests within 90 days, with non-responses interpreted adversely.