The Corporation shall make grants of financial assistance to grantees for the purpose of providing legal assistance to eligible clients.

The Corporation shall ensure that grants and contracts are made to: provide the most stable, economical, and effective delivery of legal assistance; and provide access to legal assistance to eligible clients in all areas of the State. The Corporation may not use a political test or political qualifications to select or monitor a grantee under this title. This subsection does not apply to a suspension or termination of financial assistance or a denial of an application for refunding because of a lack of available funds. The Corporation shall prescribe procedures in accordance with this subsection to govern: the suspension or termination of financial assistance; and the denial of an application for refunding. The procedures shall ensure that financial assistance committed may not be suspended or terminated and an application for refunding may not be denied unless the grantee has been given: reasonable notice; and an opportunity for a timely, full, and fair hearing conducted by an independent hearing examiner.

In applying for and spending grant money from the Corporation, grantees shall consider the relative needs for service of clients, particularly the needs of eligible clients who have special difficulties of access to legal services or who have special legal problems, including elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. Funds provided to grantees under this title may not be used: to provide legal assistance for a fee-generating case; to provide legal assistance for the defense of a criminal prosecution; to provide legal assistance in a civil action to a person who has been convicted of a criminal charge if the civil action: arises out of an alleged act or failure to act; and is brought against an official of the court or a law enforcement official to challenge the validity of the criminal conviction; to influence the issuance, amendment, or revocation of an executive order or similar promulgation by a federal, State, or local unit, or to influence the passage or defeat of legislation by the United States Congress, or by a State or local legislative body, or a State proposal by referendum or petition; to contribute to or be made available to a political party or association or the campaign of a candidate for public or party office; or to provide representation in a class action suit.

The Corporation may require a grantee to submit any reports the Corporation considers necessary regarding activities carried out under this title. The Corporation may require grantees to keep records regarding funds provided by the Corporation. The Corporation shall have access to the records at all reasonable times to ensure compliance with the grant or contract or the terms and conditions on which financial assistance was provided.

Each year, the Corporation shall require: a financial audit by an independent certified public accountant of each grantee whose grant income from the Corporation in the most recently completed fiscal year was $50,000 or more; or a financial review by an independent certified public accountant of each grantee whose grant income from the Corporation in the most recently completed fiscal year was less than $50,000. The report of each audit or review shall be: submitted to the Governor; made available to the Legislative Auditor; and kept for at least 5 years at the principal office of the Corporation.