(a)
Establishment
There is established an Urban Area Security Initiative to provide grants to assist high-risk urban areas in preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism.
(c)
Application
(1)
In general
An area designated as a high-risk urban area under subsection (b) may apply for a grant under this section.
(2)
Minimum contents of application
In an application for a grant under this section, a high-risk urban area shall submit—
(A)
a plan describing the proposed division of responsibilities and distribution of funding among the local and tribal governments in the high-risk urban area;
(B)
the name of an individual to serve as a high-risk urban area liaison with the Department and among the various jurisdictions in the high-risk urban area; and
(C)
such information in support of the application as the Administrator may reasonably require.
(3)
Annual applications
Applicants for grants under this section shall apply or reapply on an annual basis.
(4)
State review and transmission
(A)
In general
To ensure consistency with State homeland security plans, a high-risk urban area applying for a grant under this section shall submit its application to each State within which any part of that high-risk urban area is located for review before submission of such application to the Department.
(B)
Deadline
Not later than 30 days after receiving an application from a high-risk urban area under subparagraph (A), a State shall transmit the application to the Department.
(C)
Opportunity for State comment
If the Governor of a State determines that an application of a high-risk urban area is inconsistent with the State homeland security plan of that State, or otherwise does not support the application, the Governor shall—
(i)
notify the Administrator, in writing, of that fact; and
(ii)
provide an explanation of the reason for not supporting the application at the time of transmission of the application.
(5)
Opportunity to amend
In considering applications for grants under this section, the Administrator shall provide applicants with a reasonable opportunity to correct defects in the application, if any, before making final awards.
(d)
Distribution of awards
(1)
In general
If the Administrator approves the application of a high-risk urban area for a grant under this section, the Administrator shall distribute the grant funds to the State or States in which that high-risk urban area is located.
(2)
State distribution of funds
(A)
In general
Not later than 45 days after the date that a State receives grant funds under paragraph (1), that State shall provide the high-risk urban area awarded that grant not less than 80 percent of the grant funds. Any funds retained by a State shall be expended on items, services, or activities that benefit the high-risk urban area.
(B)
Funds retained
A State shall provide each relevant high-risk urban area with an accounting of the items, services, or activities on which any funds retained by the State under subparagraph (A) were expended.
(3)
Interstate urban areas
If parts of a high-risk urban area awarded a grant under this section are located in 2 or more States, the Administrator shall distribute to each such State—
(A)
a portion of the grant funds in accordance with the proposed distribution set forth in the application; or
(B)
if no agreement on distribution has been reached, a portion of the grant funds determined by the Administrator to be appropriate.
(4)
Certifications regarding distribution of grant funds to high-risk urban areas
A State that receives grant funds under paragraph (1) shall certify to the Administrator that the State has made available to the applicable high-risk urban area the required funds under paragraph (2).