Section 410.6 - Regional marketing partnership grant program(a) Authorization.--The department may make grants to regional marketing partnerships that satisfy the eligibility criteria set forth in program guidelines to be adopted by the department working jointly with the Governor's Tourism Partnership.(b) Funding for regional marketing partnership grants.--(1) For the fiscal year 2008-2009, the department shall award grants in the amount of 37% of the appropriation to fund grants under this section.(2) For the fiscal year 2009-2010, the department shall award grants in the amount of 43% of the appropriation for grants made under this section.(3) For the fiscal year 2010-2011 and every fiscal year thereafter, the department shall award grants in the amount of 50% of the appropriation for grants made under this section.(c) Eligibility criteria for regional marketing partnership grants.-- In order to be eligible for a grant under this act, a regional marketing partnership must satisfy the following criteria:(1) The regional marketing partnership must include:(i) the regional attractions marketing agency as defined in section 3 of the act of December 21, 1998 (P.L. 1307, No. 174), known as the Community and Economic Improvement Act, for counties of the first class;(ii) the tourist promotion agency for a county of the second class;(iii) at least two counties of the third class through eighth class;(iv) for the counties of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren, the regional marketing partnership determined by the tourist promotion agencies of the counties to be the exclusive regional marketing partnership for the counties; or(v) a regional entity as defined by department guidelines.(2) The grantee must be an entity with a charter, bylaws or other such binding governance document that specifies the county, counties or parts of counties included in the tourism marketing programs of the regional marketing partnership and shall demonstrate that it provides comprehensive representation of tourism stakeholders in the marketing region.(d) Appeal of decision.--A decision of ineligibility for grants under this section may be appealed to the secretary, whose decision shall be final. An appeal shall be heard in accordance with the regional marketing partnership grant program guidelines to be adopted by the department.(e) Limitation.--No regional marketing partnership shall be awarded more than 35% of the appropriation allocated to the regional marketing partnership grant program in fiscal year 2008-2009. In fiscal year 2009-2010 and each fiscal year thereafter, no regional marketing partnership shall be awarded more than 30% of the appropriation allocated to the regional marketing partnership grant program. 2008, July 4, P.L. 621, No. 50, § 6, imd. effective.