Commission grant program

(a) Establishment of grant program Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Secretary, shall establish— (1) a competitive grant program to award grants to entities to carry out an eligible project; and (2) a formula grant program to award grants to State member entities to carry out eligible interjurisdictional fisheries projects carried out in accordance with the recommendation of the Commission or the Joint Strategic Plan described in section 6(b)(1). (b) Entities eligible To receive grants The Commission may provide— (1) formula grants and competitive grants to State member entities; and (2) competitive grants to private entities, Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and partnerships between entities described in this subsection. (c) Competitive grants (1) Applications An entity desiring a competitive grant under this section shall submit to the Commission an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commission may require. (2) Priority for entities providing matching funds In awarding competitive grants under this section, the Commission shall give priority to entities that will provide matching funds from non-Federal sources of not less than 10 percent of the grant award, which may be provided in cash or in-kind. (d) Formula grant program The Commission shall determine the amount that each State member entity shall receive annually under the formula grant program. (e) Use of funds An entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds— (1) in the case of— (A) a competitive grant, in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Joint Strategic Plan described in section 6(b)(1) and each of the interjurisdictional fisheries management plans of the 6 Mississippi River sub-basins described in section 6(a)(2); and (B) a formula grant, to carry out eligible interjurisdictional fisheries projects carried out in accordance with the recommendation of the Commission or the Joint Strategic Plan described in section 6(b)(1); and (2) only for projects, research, personnel, work, and programs located wholly or partially in a Mississippi River Basin State. (f) Administrative costs An entity awarded a grant under this section may use not more than 5 percent of the grant funds for administrative costs relating to the grant. (g) Report requirements Not later than 1 year after the disbursement of grant funding under this section, the Chair of the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on— (1) the entities awarded grants under this section; (2) the amount each such grant; (3) how such entities used the grant awards; and (4) how such grant awards enhanced the management and sustainability of the interjurisdictional fisheries of the Mississippi River Basin.