(a) Any air quality control program conforming to the rules of the Environmental Quality Commission and operated by not more than one unit of local government shall be eligible for state aid in an amount not to exceed 30 percent of the locally funded annual operating cost thereof, not including any federal funds to which the program may be entitled.

(b) Any air quality control program exercising functions operated by a regional authority shall be eligible for state aid in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the locally funded annual operating cost thereof, not including any federal funds to which the program may be entitled.

(2) Applications for state funds shall be made to the commission and funds shall be made available under subsection (1) of this section according to the determination of the commission. In making its determination, the commission shall consider:

(a) The adequacy and effectiveness of the air quality control program.

(b) The geographic and demographic factors in the territory under the program.

(c) The particular problems of the territory under the program.

(3) In order to qualify for any state aid and subject to the availability of funds therefor, the local government or the regional authority must submit all applications for federal financial assistance to the commission before submitting them to the federal government.

(4) When certified by the commission, claims for state aid shall be presented for payment in the manner that other claims against the state are paid. [Formerly 449.920 and then 468.575]