(1) There is created in the division the reserve academy grant program to provide a grant to a political subdivision of the state that is comprised of multiple jurisdictions for the purpose of creating a reserve peace officer training academy that will train and certify a reserve peace officer auxiliary group. The division may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this section.

(2) The grant recipient may use the money received through the grant program to fund a reserve peace officer training academy.

(3) The division shall administer the grant program and, subject to available appropriations, shall award a grant as provided in subsection (5) of this section.

(4) The division shall implement the grant program in accordance with this section. Pursuant to article 4 of this title 24, the division shall promulgate such rules as are required in this section and such additional rules as may be necessary to implement the grant program. At a minimum, the rules must specify the time frames for applying for grants, the form of the grant program application, and the time frames for distributing grant money.

(5) (a) To receive the grant, a political subdivision of the state that is comprised of multiple jurisdictions for the purpose of creating a shared reserve peace officer auxiliary group must submit an application to the division in accordance with rules promulgated by the division.

(b) The division shall review the applications received pursuant to this section. In awarding the grant, the division shall consider the following criteria:

(I) Existing access to start-up capital;

(II) The capacity to serve communities statewide; and

(III) The ability to assist law enforcement agencies in times of need.

(c) Subject to available appropriations, on or before December 31, 2017, the division shall award a grant as provided in this section. The division shall distribute the grant money within thirty days after the division awards the grant.

(6) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2019.