Alliance Incentive Grant Policy and Procedure
(Alliance Document 200-A)
November 2005
Section 1: Overview
The Alliance for Uniform Hazmat Transportation Procedures (Alliance) consists of seven states that have implemented uniform forms and procedures for the permitting and registration of motor carriers of hazardous materials pursuant to 49 USC 5119. This approach, called the Uniform Program (UP), has been adopted by Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. A Governing Board made up of member Alliance states oversees activities related to implementation and operation of the Uniform Program. The Alliance is governed by several documents including the final report of the Alliance working group to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the Uniform Program Administrator’s Manual. The Alliance is staffed by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In January 2005 the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) put into place new federal permitting regulations covering the transportation of certain hazardous materials. Many Alliance permittees must also obtain the federal safety permit. The regulation allows state equivalency with the new federal permit provided the state permit meets specific standards of permitting equivalency. In 2005-2006, the Alliance implemented changes to its Uniform Program to achieve equivalency with the new federal safety permit.
To encourage additional states to become part of the Alliance, a grant program has been established. The deadline to apply for a grant is February 15, 2006.
Section 2: Available Grants
Incentive Grants. To assist new states in implementing the federally equivalent Uniform Program, a planning grant and an implementation grant is available through the National Conference of State Legislatures, with funding from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. A planning grant may be sought in an amount up to $20,000 and a follow-up implementation grant in an amount up to $30,000 is available. Grants are available to state agencies which will have program responsibility for implementation of the Uniform Program in that state. Only one state agency per state is eligible for a grant.
Travel Stipends. A second form of available financial assistance is a travel stipend up to the amount of $750 per meeting for prospective states to attend Alliance board meetings, up to a cumulative total of $3,000 per state. Travel stipends are available to any state official in a state actively considering the implementation of the Alliance Uniform Program. Stipends are awarded on a case-by-case basis. Instructions on applying are found in Sections 5 and 6 below.
Section 3: Criteria to be Met
Planning Grant. To receive a planning grant, a state agency, which has or will have the responsibility of program implementation, must complete and submit the "Application for Alliance Incentive Grants" (Alliance Document 200-B). In addition, an applicant must submit as attachments:
- A short statement of the agency's proposed actions using the grant money,
- Its qualifications to complete the proposed work, and
- A proposed budget showing how the grant would be spent.
The planning grant is designed to help interested states pay for activities leading up to the enactment of legislation (if required) and initial implementation activities. This might include, but is not limited to, public information efforts, state employee staff time for various activities, necessary research, outreach to industry, travel to relevant meetings, and necessary information technology enhancements.
Implementation Grant. The following requirements must be met for a state to be eligible for the follow-up $30,000 hazmat implementation grant:
- Has completed and submitted the "Application for Alliance Incentive Grants" (Alliance Document 200-B). In addition, an applicant must submit as attachments:
a) A short statement of the agency's proposed actions using the grant money,
b) Its qualifications to complete the proposed work ,and
c) A proposed budget showing how the grant would be spent.
- Has submitted a letter from an authorized executive branch official to the Alliance Governing Board requesting entry to the Uniform Program and base state agreement and committing to the actions listed in Section 4 below. If not specified in the enabling legislation, the request shall include the formal designation of a lead agency by the Governor.
- Has enacted legislation authorizing participation by the state or local government in the Uniform Program, and providing for implementation of the Uniform Program by that government.
- Has applied for accreditation approval from the Governing Board.
- Has agreed to become a signatory to the base state agreement.
Section 4: Entry Into the Alliance Base State Agreement
As noted in Section 3 above, in order to receive an implementation grant, a state must commit to undertaking the following actions to enable entry into the base state agreement and Uniform Program:
- The jurisdiction must have adequate personnel to conduct all aspects of the Uniform Program.
- The jurisdiction must have automated data processing capacity to register carriers upon receiving the registration application. Jurisdictions must be able to communicate electronically for centralized data collection purposes. Prospective jurisdictions must also have capacity to electronically store aspects of the registration and/or permit and issue credentials to carriers.
- Jurisdictions must demonstrate the ability to communicate with all affected motor carriers regarding the implementation date of the Uniform Program and new forms and procedures the motor carriers will complete under the Uniform Program.
- Jurisdictions will conduct and/or seek adequate training for personnel to effectively implement the Uniform Program.
- Prospective jurisdictions will develop an operating budget. The jurisdiction shall set an equitable registration fee and a permitting fee (if applicable to the jurisdiction). Jurisdictions must possess the ability to carry out the financial accounting aspects of the Uniform Program.
- Jurisdictions will develop a plan to ensure full public participation as outlined in the Uniform Program. This plan will also include an appropriate assurance to motor carriers that Part III of the Uniform Program will be kept confidential.
- Prospective jurisdictions will provide sufficient audit capacity to fulfill the audit requirements of the Uniform Program. This includes personnel time and training.
- Prospective jurisdictions will communicate with all appropriate enforcement officials in the jurisdiction to ensure that the registration and permit are requested and recognized during roadside inspections.
- Prospective jurisdictions will have any necessary enabling legislation and implementing regulations in place when they enter the Uniform Program agreement.
- Prospective jurisdictions will certify that they will operate the Uniform Program pursuant to the policies and procedures developed by the Board.
Section 5: Grant Application Process
To apply for funds, the "Application for Alliance Incentive Grants" (Alliance Document 200-B) including attachments shall be completed and submitted by an eligible state agency. Potential applicants for grants or travel stipends with questions should contact Jim Reed at NCSL. Requests and applications which meet with the approval of the Alliance Governing Board will be funded through NCSL.
The deadline to apply for a grant is February 15, 2006. After February 15, 2006, check with Jim Reed for availability of additional grants.
Section 6: Contact for Grant Application, Travel Stipends, and Information
Jim Reed
Transportation Program Director
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL )
7700 East First Place
Denver, CO 80230
Phone 303-856-1510, Fax 303-364-7800
jim.reed@ncsl.org
 Alliance for Uniform Hazmat Transportation Procedures
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