(a) The board shall expend funds from the account, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the making of grants to cities, counties, or other local agencies with responsibility for solid waste management, and for local programs to help prevent the disposal of hazardous wastes at disposal sites, including, but not limited to, programs to expand or initially implement household hazardous waste programs. In making grants pursuant to this section, the board shall give priority to funding programs that provide for the following:

1. (1) New programs for rural areas, underserved areas, and for small cities.
2. (2) Expansion of existing programs to provide for the collection of additional waste types, innovative or more cost-effective collection methods, or expanded public education services.
3. (3) Regional household hazardous waste programs.

(b)

1. (1) The total amount of grants made by the board pursuant to this section shall not exceed, in any one fiscal year, three million dollars ($3,000,000).
2. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the total amount of grants made by the board pursuant to this section may exceed three million dollars ($3,000,000) but shall not exceed six million dollars ($6,000,000), in any one fiscal year, if sufficient funds are appropriated from the Integrated Waste Management Account for this purpose.