(a) Application. - The lead planning agency for any Metropolitan Planning Organization located in an area designated as a nonattainment or maintenance area under the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401, et seq.) may apply to the Department of Transportation for funds to avoid a plan conformity lapse.
(b) Matching Required. - Funds provided under this section shall be matched one-for-one by the local applicant agency.
(c) Use of Funds. - Funds provided under this section shall be used by the local applicant agency only to avoid a plan conformity lapse.
(d) Limit on Funds. - The Department shall not provide more than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per fiscal year to any lead planning organization of a Metropolitan Planning Organization pursuant to this section.
(e) Payback Required. - Any funds provided to a lead planning organization of a Metropolitan Planning Organization under this section shall be repaid within five years, either from local sources or as an offset against planning funds that might otherwise have been made available from the Department to the lead planning organization.