28.1 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Community empowerment area" means a geographic area designated in accordance with this chapter.

2. "Community empowerment area board" or "community board" means the board for a community empowerment area created in accordance with this chapter.

3. "Decategorization project" means a decategorization of child welfare and juvenile justice funding project operated under section 232.188.

4. "Innovation zone" means a local jurisdiction implementing an innovation zone plan in accordance with section 8A.2, Code 1997.

5. "Iowa empowerment board" or "Iowa board" means the Iowa empowerment board created in section 28.3.

28.9 Iowa empowerment fund.

1. An Iowa empowerment fund is created in the state treasury. The moneys in the Iowa empowerment fund are not subject to section 8.33 and shall not be transferred, used, obligated, appropriated, or otherwise encumbered except as provided by law. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys deposited in the Iowa empowerment fund shall be credited to the fund.

2. A school ready children grants account is created in the Iowa empowerment fund under the authority of the director of the department of education. Moneys credited to the account shall be distributed by the department of education in the form of grants to community empowerment areas pursuant to criteria established by the Iowa board in accordance with law.

3. An early childhood programs grant account is created in the Iowa empowerment fund under the authority of the director of human services. Moneys credited to the account shall be distributed by the department of human services in the form of grants to community empowerment areas pursuant to criteria established by the Iowa board in accordance with law. The criteria shall include but are not limited to a requirement that a community empowerment area must be designated by the Iowa board in accordance with section 28.5, in order to be eligible to receive an early childhood programs grant.

4. Beginning July 1, 1999, unless a different amount is authorized by law, up to three percent, not to exceed sixty thousand dollars, of the school ready children grant moneys distributed under the auspices of the Iowa board to a community empowerment area board may be used by the community board for administrative costs and other implementation expenses.