S.Amdt. 2277

1. Adds SEC. 3044. INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK GRANT PROGRAM on page 177, line 7

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: SEC. 3044. INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK GRANT PROGRAM.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Chapter 53, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "Sec. 5341. Independent transportation network grant program

   Inserted: "(a) Grants Authorized.--

   Inserted: "(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants to eligible entities to plan and implement community-based, non-profit transportation services (referred to in this section as a 'service') to provide affordable transportation for elderly individuals and individuals with visual impairments.

   Inserted: "(2) Maximum amounts.--

   Inserted: "(A) Planning grants.--The Secretary shall not award a planning grant under subsection (b) in an amount which exceeds $25,000.

   Inserted: "(B) Implementation grants.--The Secretary shall not award an implementation grant under subsection (c) in an amount which exceeds $500,000.

   Inserted: "(3) Eligible entities.--States, units of local government, and non-profit organizations are eligible for grants under this section.

   Inserted: "(b) Planning Grants.--

   Inserted: "(1) Application.--

   Inserted: "(A) In general.--Each eligible entity desiring a planning grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.

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   Inserted: "(B) Selection criteria.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Transit Administrator, shall authorize ITNAmerica to periodically convene a diverse panel of experts who are familiar with the ITN business model, which shall select successful grantees based on--

   Inserted: "(i) the economic sustainability of the proposed service;

   Inserted: "(ii) community participation in the development of the service; and

   Inserted: "(iii) need for transportation services within the geographic area of the service.

   Inserted: "(2) Use of funds.--Planning grants awarded under this section shall be used to--

   Inserted: "(A) assess the transportation needs of elderly individuals and individuals with visual impairments within the geographic area of the service;

   Inserted: "(B) identify the resources available within the community to meet the needs described in subparagraph (A); and

   Inserted: "(C) develop a detailed business plan for the implementation of a service.

   Inserted: "(c) Implementation Grants.--

   Inserted: "(1) Application.--

   Inserted: "(A) In general.--Each planning grant recipient shall submit an application for an implementation grant to the Secretary that contains a detailed business plan for the implementation of a service.

   Inserted: "(B) Selection criteria.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Transit Administrator, shall authorize ITNAmerica to periodically convene a diverse panel of experts who are familiar with the ITN business model, which shall select successful grantees based on--

   Inserted: "(i) the economic sustainability of the proposed service;

   Inserted: "(ii) community participation in the development of the service; and

   Inserted: "(iii) need for transportation services within the geographic area of the service.

   Inserted: "(2) Use of funds.--Implementation grants awarded under this section may be used to--

   Inserted: "(A) recruit transportation volunteers;

   Inserted: "(B) acquire and repair used automobiles; and

   Inserted: "(C) provide transportation services for elderly individuals and individuals with visual impairments within the geographic area of the service.

   Inserted: "(d) Matching Requirement.--Not more than 50 percent of the amount expended on any activity funded through a planning grant or implementation grant under this section may be derived from government funds.

   Inserted: "(e) ITNAmerica.--

   Inserted: "(1) Administrative and technical support.--The Secretary shall award a grant to ITNAmerica to provide administrative and technical support to the other grantees under this section.

   Inserted: "(2) Annual conference.--ITNAmerica shall convene a conference during each of the fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009 to provide an opportunity for service directors to share ideas and strategies.

   Inserted: "(3) Reporting requirements.--Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year for which it received financial assistance under this subsection, ITNAmerica shall submit a report to the Secretary regarding any activities funded under this subsection.

   Inserted: "(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--

   Inserted: "(1) Planning grants.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for planning grants under subsection (b)--

   Inserted: "(A) $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2005;

   Inserted: "(B) $1,350,000 for fiscal year 2006;

   Inserted: "(C) $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2007;

   Inserted: "(D) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and

   Inserted: "(E) $800,000 for fiscal year 2009.

   Inserted: "(2) Implementation grants.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for implementation grants under subsection (c)--

   Inserted: "(A) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;

   Inserted: "(B) $2,350,000 for fiscal year 2006;

   Inserted: "(C) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2007;

   Inserted: "(D) $3,200,000 for fiscal year 2008; and

   Inserted: "(E) $3,600,000 for fiscal year 2009.

   Inserted: "(3) Administrative and technical support.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the administrative and technical support grant under subsection (e)--

   Inserted: "(A) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2005;

   Inserted: "(B) $1,300,000 for fiscal year 2006;

   Inserted: "(C) $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2007;

   Inserted: "(D) $700,000 for fiscal year 2008; and

   Inserted: "(E) $600,000 for fiscal year 2009.".

   Inserted: (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 53 is amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "5341. Independent transportation network grant program.".

   Original wording

   On page 177, after line 7, add the following:

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As printed