(a) (1) (A) The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee shall select four (4) eligible organizations for participation in the Arkansas Great Places Program by July 1, 2012.

(B) An eligible organization selected for participation in the program under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section shall participate in the program for a two-year period.

(C) The committee shall select an eligible organization under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section from each of the four (4) congressional districts.

(D) Two (2) of the four (4) eligible organizations selected under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section shall be located in counties of twenty thousand (20,000) residents or fewer.

(2)

(A) After July 1, 2012, the committee shall select by July 1 of each even-numbered year no more than four (4) eligible organizations for participation in the program.

(B) An eligible organization selected for participation in the program under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section shall participate in the program for a two-year period.

(b) A member of the committee shall recuse from the consideration of an application for participation in the program by an eligible organization located in the county in which the member of the committee resides.

(c) The Department of Arkansas Heritage shall work with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to maximize grants awarded to participants in the program.

(d)

(1) When considering an application for a grant or other state funds, a state agency shall give additional consideration or additional points in the application of rating or evaluation criteria to an eligible organization that is a participant in the program.

(2) Subdivision (d)(1) of this section applies to applications filed within three (3) years of the eligible organization's selection as a participant in the program.