HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1783

(I) SUCH FUNDS MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO
COUNTIES IN WHICH THE SECRETARY DETERMINES THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDS
FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED ARE
MOST NEEDED; AND

(II) COUNTY MATCH REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED IN
SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO ALL DISBURSEMENTS.

(2) A WRITTEN APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY A COUNTY UNDER
THIS SUBSECTION MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED OR CONSIDERED BY THE
SECRETARY UNLESS THE LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING CERTIFIES ITS
APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT FOR THE FUNDING FOR WHICH THE APPLICATION
IS MADE.

(F) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE
WITH FUNDS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION ONLY ON THE BASIS OF A 95
PERCENT STATE, 5 PERCENT COUNTY MATCHING FUND OBLIGATION.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE OPERATING ASSISTANCE
WITH FUNDS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION ONLY;

(I) TO FUND OPERATING DEFICITS OF THE COUNTY'S
TRANSPORTATION SERVICE; AND

(II)  ON THE BASIS OF A 75 PERCENT STATE, 25
PERCENT COUNTY MATCHING FUND OBLIGATION.

(G) THE SECRETARY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND OFFICE
ON AGING AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS,
SHALL DEVELOP PROCEDURES FOR THE PROPER ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
SECTION. THE PROCEDURES SHALL PROVIDE THAT:

(1) A COUNTY SHALL USE ALL AMOUNTS DISTRIBUTED TO IT
UNDER THIS SECTION ONLY FOR THE ACQUISITION OR REPLACEMENT OF
EQUIPMENT OR FOR THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE COUNTY'S
TRANSPORTATION SERVICE;

(2) A COUNTY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL AREA
AGENCY ON AGING, SHALL DETERMINE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF
SERVING THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF ITS ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED
RESIDENTS;

(3) EACH COUNTY SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE OTHERS TO
BEST SERVE THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE STATE'S ELDERLY AND
HANDICAPPED RESIDENTS; AND

(4) A COUNTY ADMINISTERING A TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
THAT RECEIVES FUNDS UNDER THIS SECTION:

(I) SHALL PROVIDE TRIPS FOR ANY PURPOSE;

(II) SHALL SERVE THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED
PERSONS WITHIN THE SERVICE AREAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS APPLICATION;