(1) The department, in consultation with the council, shall award grants annually to notification centers using the account established pursuant to 69-4-527 (3)(b). Beginning January 1, 2018, grants must be awarded to notification centers in accordance with this section and rules adopted by the department in accordance with 69-4-522.
(2) Grants must be awarded to notification centers to fund training and educational programs and materials for excavators, underground facility owners, and the general public.
(3) Nothing in this section prevents a notification center from:
(a) transferring grant money received to another entity for nonprofit underground facility education programs; or
(b) collaborating with another notification center on a joint grant application.