Recovery Act

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law. The ARRA provides federal funding for a wide range of federal, state, and local programs, as well as tax relief for qualified businesses and individuals. The ARRA also requires increased accountability and control for these funds.

On March 27, 2009, the Governor's Executive Order S-02-09 created the California Recovery Task Force to take the lead responsibility for establishing a systematic method for collecting, creating reporting standards, and centrally locating all information regarding the uses, status, outcomes, and accountability of ARRA funds received by California.

As such, all state agencies receiving ARRA funds will be responsible for ensuring the necessary systems are in place to provide proper oversight, accounting, reporting, and project management controls to ensure all ARRA funds are used efficiently and for the intended purposes.

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has been awarded the following ARRA funding:

Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Combating Mortgage Fraud

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded $1,435,904 to the DOJ for the Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Combating Mortgage Fraud. These ARRA funds will be used by the Attorney General's Office to provide investigative services in support of law enforcement agencies, state prosecutors, and local district attorneys investigating mortgage fraud in rural areas of the State. Investigative efforts include collaboration with state prosecutors and the local district attorneys investigating and prosecuting these crimes. This funding will preserve five DOJ positions to further these objectives.

Firearms Trafficking Task Force

The California Emergency Management Agency has awarded the DOJ $3.3 million for the Firearms Trafficking Task Force. These ARRA funds will be used by the Attorney General's Office to work directly with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in targeting illegal firearms purchases, transportation and smuggling into Mexico. This funding will preserve five positions within the DOJ to further these objectives.