TITLE 43.TRANSPORTATION

Part 3. AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY

Chapter 57. AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY

43 TAC §57.36

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) adopts amendments to §57.36, concerning the level of funding for projects receiving ATPA grant funds. ATPA has statutory authority to determine funding levels. The amendments are adopted, with one grammatical change in subsection (f) to the proposed version, which was published in the Texas Register , on March 24, 2006 (31 TexReg 2448). The text of the adopted rules will be republished. The adopted amendments to subsection (d) include a requirement of a cash match by a grantee in order to receive ATPA funds beginning in the first year of funding by ATPA. Currently, a cash match is required only after the second year of funding. The current maximum levels of funding are not changed, and grantees funded at an 80% level will be able to applicable for additional funding if needed. Subsection (e) is amended to require that the cash match must be expended before any ATPA funds are used, beginning in the first year of funding. In this manner, ATPA hopes to encourage a minimal level of self-funding starting with new grantees the first year of funding. Match funding should enable ATPA to spread its funding across more grantees and provide sufficient ATPA funding for successful projects that should be continued at current activity levels or expanded. Other changes in text are proposed for grammar, consistency and format.

No written comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

These amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4413(37), §6(a). The ATPA interprets §6(a) as authorizing it to adopt rules implementing its statutory powers and duties, which includes determining levels of funding and conditions for ATPA grant projects as part of its plan for providing financial support to combat automobile theft and economic automobile theft as required by §7 and §8 of Article 4413(37). §57.36 -- Article 4413(37) §§6(a), 7, 8.

§57.36.Level of Funding for Grant Projects.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, the level of ATPA funding for a project may not exceed the following annual rates:

(1) Years 1 and 2--100% of the grant request for each year.

(2) Year 3 and thereafter--80% of the second year award.

(b) Projects that have been funded previously from federal or other private sources may apply for ATPA funding as continuation grants. The ATPA will assume funding of the project at a ratio level commensurate with the project's funding history.

(c) Equipment costs funded by the ATPA during a project's first year shall be deducted before the calculation of subsequent year funding.

(d) A grantee must contribute a cash match of 20% of the total ATPA award, for each year of funding, in order to be eligible for ATPA funds.

(e) A grantee awarded ATPA funds must expend its 20% cash contribution prior to the expenditure of any ATPA funds.

(f) A grantee, in an 80% funding year, may apply for additional funding above 80% of the second year award, including for the consolidation of existing grant programs or the inclusion of new agencies in a current grant program.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August 9, 2006.

TRD-200604153

Susan Sampson

Director

Automobile Theft Prevention Authority

Effective date: August 29, 2006

Proposal publication date: March 24, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 374-5101