(a) The Director of the Division of Environmental Quality may use not more than ten percent (10%) of the moneys available in the Used Tire Recycling Fund each fiscal year:

1. (1) For waste tire site abatement aid to be used only when the responsible person is either unable or unwilling to properly and timely abate the waste tire site;
2. (2) For the development, implementation, and maintenance of the e-manifest system; and
3. (3) To provide market and economic stimulus incentives.

(b) Eligible applicants for an abatement aid grant or market and economic stimulus incentive grant under this section include:

1. (1) An eligible used tire program;
2. (2) A local government; or
3. (3) A state agency, commission, or other governmental unit created by the General Assembly.

(c)

1. (1) Abatement funds may be used only when the person or persons responsible for abatement of a site is either unable or unwilling to properly and timely abate the site.
2. (2) The responsible person is not relieved from any financial liability for abatement of a waste tire site.
3. (3) If an abatement aid grant under this section is provided, the funds recovered by the Division of Environmental Quality or the used tire program from the responsible person shall be returned to the Used Tire Recycling Fund.

(d)

1. (1) The division shall review and evaluate all grant applications, changes, and proposed projects in order to determine:

   1. (A) Eligible project and contract costs;
   2. (B) The merit and ranking of proposed grant projects;
   3. (C) The amount of the award; and
   4. (D) The conditions of approval for a grant award.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Application forms, changes, contracts, or other documents must be fully completed when submitted to the division.
   2. (B) Additional materials may be required to include:

(i) A project budget summarizing the approximate costs of grant-eligible items or contract services to be funded and costs of facilities and activities not grant-funded but an integral part of the proposed project;

1. (ii) Specifications and designs approved by a professional engineer registered in the State of Arkansas, unless otherwise approved by the division, for grant-funded construction of facilities or bid-quote specifications for equipment when the cost of construction or equipment exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000);

   1. (iii) Copies of proposed specifications for a service contract and an estimate of the cost of the services to be contracted; and

      1. (iv) Verification that the applicant has conformed to all applicable procurement laws on contracting for services and on the purchase, use, or sale of equipment and facilities to be secured with state funds.

(f)

1. (1) The eligibility of specific project or contract costs for funding shall be determined by the division.
2. (2) The division shall only make a final determination on an administratively complete application.

(g)

1. (1) The division shall notify an applicant in writing of the approval or disapproval of its applications, contracts, changes, or proposed projects for funding.
2. (2) If an application, contract, change, or proposed project is not approved for funding, an explanation of the rationale for not funding the applicant shall accompany the notice.