GRANTS FOR VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.

SEC. 307. GRANTS FOR VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.(a) Grants Authorized.—(1) In general.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural areas.(2) Eligible recipients.—The following may be awarded a grant under this section:(A) State veterans service agencies.(B) Veterans service organizations.(3) Use of funds.—A State veterans service agency or veterans service organization awarded a grant under this section may use the grant amount to—(A) assist veterans in highly rural areas to travel to Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and(B) otherwise assist in providing transportation in connection with the provision of medical care to veterans in highly rural areas.(4) Maximum amount.—The amount of a grant under this section may not exceed $50,000.124 STAT. 1155(5) No matching requirement.—The recipient of a grant under this section shall not be required to provide matching funds as a condition for receiving such grant.(b) Regulations.—The Secretary shall prescribe regulations for—(1) evaluating grant applications under this section; and(2) otherwise administering the program established by this section.(c) Definitions.—In this section:(1) Highly rural.—The term “highly rural”, in the case of an area, means that the area consists of a county or counties having a population of less than seven persons per square mile.(2) Veterans service organization.—The term “veterans service organization” means any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to carry out this section.