(a)

1. (1) The Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development, in collaboration with the Arkansas Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee, will make every effort to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of funds under this section.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Any disputes regarding the disbursement of funds under this section shall be addressed at the earliest regular meeting of the committee.
   2. (B) The funding dispute shall be resolved by a majority decision of the committee.

3. (3)

   1. (A) Applicants may apply for funds under this section through an application process decided upon by the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development in consultation with the committee.
   2. (B) Application forms may be received by contacting the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development.

(b)

1. (1) The Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development, in consultation with the committee, shall develop funding guidelines by August 1 for each fiscal year.

2. (2) Funding guidelines shall include the:

   1. (A) Total funding amount;
   2. (B) Items eligible for reimbursement; and
   3. (C) Reimbursement percentages.

(c)

1. (1) Program sponsors wishing to receive funding for training programs shall meet the following criteria:

   1. (A) The program must be performing actual work in the State of Arkansas;
   2. (B) The training must take place in the State of Arkansas or have the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development and committee prior approval for out-of-state training; and
   3. (C) The program is currently sponsoring a training, apprenticeship, or educational program approved by or registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development, the United States Office of Apprenticeship, or both.

2. (2)

   1. (A) If a program meets the above criteria, it will be judged on the appropriateness of its application and grant awards will be made, in whole or in part, to programs recommended by the committee and approved by the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development after the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development has received the proof of payment for the items on the application.
   2. (B) Any program may be rejected for cause.
   3. (C)

(i) Grant awards shall be for specific training materials and activities.

1. (ii) Program sponsors may apply as often as necessary to meet the demands for a trained workforce in Arkansas.

   1. (d) Funding requests for equipment purchases shall provide the following information:
2. (1) A complete description of all pieces of equipment and, if the cost is over one thousand dollars ($1,000), at least three (3) or more competitive bids and an explanation of why the selected piece of equipment was chosen;

3. (2)

   1. (A) The current location of the equipment in question and the party responsible for its maintenance and upkeep.
   2. (B) If the equipment ever changes locations, the program is required to inform the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development as soon as possible of the new location; and
4. (3) A copy of the bill of sale or paid invoice for the equipment, which the Office of Apprenticeship of the Office of Skills Development shall include in its files for the grantee.