Energy Crisis Trust Fund

(1) There is established an Energy Crisis Trust Fund, separate and distinct from the General Fund, in the State Treasury. As permitted by federal court decisions, federal statutory requirements and administrative decisions, funds from the Petroleum Violation Escrow Fund made available to the Housing and Community Services Department for the Energy Crisis Trust Fund and any gift, grant, appropriation or donation for the purpose of the Energy Crisis Trust Fund shall be deposited by the State Treasurer and credited to the Energy Crisis Trust Fund. The State Treasurer shall credit monthly to the fund any interest or other income derived from the fund or the investing of the fund. All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Housing and Community Services Department for the purpose of providing low income home energy assistance. (2) If moneys are donated to the fund for low income energy assistance by a home heating fuel or energy service provider that allows its customers to contribute to the program, that money so donated shall be redistributed through the Energy Crisis Trust Fund only within the service area of that home heating fuel or energy service provider. (3) The Housing and Community Services Department shall contract with a private nonprofit or public organization or agency for the distribution of moneys in the Energy Crisis Trust Fund. The department or the contractor shall administer and distribute the funds in accordance with: (a) The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.); and (b) The Petroleum Violation Escrow Fund regulations.