Section 27-65-145 - Transportation-Related Research and Workforce Development Grant Program - Definitions(a) As used in this section: (1) "Transportation-related research" means the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions to provide resilient and sustainable logistics, processes, materials, and methods to ensure cost-effectiveness and the furtherance of education and economic development concerning all forms of transportation, including without limitation rail, public transportation, aviation, and waterborne transportation; and(2) "Workforce development" means industry training, apprenticeship, and educational programs that foster skills required for transportation-related personnel development.(b) The Transportation-Related Research and Workforce Development Grant Program is established to provide grants to publicly funded institutions of higher education for transportation-related research or workforce development.(c) A publicly funded institution of higher education may submit an application to receive a grant for transportation-related research or workforce development to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, which includes without limitation: (1) A brief description of the transportation-related research;(2) An estimate of the cost-effective benefits of the transportation-related research or workforce development;(3) The economic development anticipated from the transportation-related research; and(4) Any other information requested by the department.(d) The department may award a grant to a publicly funded institution of higher education using funds available in the Future Transportation Research and Workforce Development Fund for transportation-related research or workforce development that meets the criteria established by the department.(e) The department and the State Highway Commission shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this section, including without limitation the:(2) Disbursement of grant funds; and(3) Criteria required under subsection (d) of this section.Amended by Act 2021, No. 884,§ 2, eff. 7/28/2021.Added by Act 2017, No. 705,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2017.