(a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019, each regional council of governments shall, within available appropriations, receive a grant-in-aid to be known as a regional services grant, the amount of which shall be based on a formula to be determined by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. No such council shall receive a grant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, unless the secretary approves a spending plan for such grant moneys submitted by such council to the secretary on or before November 1, 2017. No such council shall receive a grant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, unless the secretary approves a spending plan for such grant moneys submitted by such council to the secretary on or before July 1, 2018.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 29 of public act 19-117*, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year thereafter, each regional council of governments shall receive a grant-in-aid to be known as a regional services grant, the amount of which shall be determined pursuant to § 4-66k. No such council shall receive a grant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, or any fiscal year thereafter, unless the secretary approves a spending plan for such grant moneys submitted by such council to the secretary on or before July 1, 2019, and annually thereafter. The secretary may provide biennial spending plan approval process guidelines at the secretary’s discretion.

(c) Each regional council of governments shall use such grant funds for planning purposes and to achieve efficiencies in the delivery of municipal services, without diminishing the quality of such services. On or before October 1, 2018, and annually thereafter, each regional council of governments shall submit a report, in accordance with § 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to planning and development and finance, revenue and bonding, and to the secretary. Such report shall (1) summarize the expenditure of such grant funds in the prior fiscal year, (2) describe any regional program, project or initiative currently provided or planned by the council, (3) review the performance of any existing regional program, project or initiative relative to its initial goals and objectives, (4) analyze the existing services provided by member municipalities or by the state that, in the opinion of the council, could be more effectively or efficiently provided on a regional basis, and (5) provide recommendations for legislative action concerning potential impediments to the regionalization of services.