(a) Availability.--Grants under this chapter shall only be offered in a fiscal year in which and to the extent that funding is made available to the department. The following shall apply:
(1) In the event funding is exhausted or otherwise unavailable, the department shall be under no obligation to provide grants under this chapter.
(2) Grant money may be prorated or offered as a percentage of actual costs, as determined by the department and set forth in an order by the secretary, to spread available money to a larger number of eligible applicants. The secretary shall transmit notice of an order issued under this chapter to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(b) Reimbursement grants.--A grant under this chapter shall be a reimbursement grant. The following shall apply:
(1) The amount of reimbursement shall be based on actual eligible costs submitted by an approved applicant during a fiscal year in which grants are offered.
(2) Grant reimbursement money shall only be available for the eligible costs of obtaining a Federal certification to allow the sale of meat by a very small meat processor.
(c) Eligibility.--A very small meat processor may apply to receive reimbursement for the cost of meeting Federal inspection guidelines during the planning and start-up periods for the operations. The applicant must be in compliance with all applicable Federal licensure, recordkeeping and slaughter requirements.
(d) Application procedure.--An applicant who desires to receive a very small meat processor Federal inspection reimbursement grant shall submit a grant application on a form provided by the department. The application shall contain the following information demonstrating and attesting to:
(1) The applicant's name, the organization name, a business address and a telephone number.
(2) A list of corporate officers.
(3) The applicant's eligibility, setting forth information evidencing and attesting that the applicant meets the definition of a "very small meat processor."
(4) A plan outlining the process being undertaken to apply for and obtain Federal certification as a meat processor.
(5) The estimated costs for which reimbursement is sought.
(6) An attestation signed by the applicant stating the applicant is in good standing with all Federal licensure, recordkeeping and slaughter requirements, including the Federal Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point standards.