§ 15-13-306. Rebate incentives for modification of motor vehicles

(a) The Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program shall include an incentive program that provides a rebate to a public entity, a company, an organization, or an affiliate of a public entity, a company, or an organization:

1. (1) To assist in the purchase of a conversion kit used to convert a diesel-powered motor vehicle or gasoline-powered motor vehicle to a dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicle, bi-fuel compressed natural gas motor vehicle, dedicated propane gas motor vehicle, or bi-fuel propane gas motor vehicle; and

2. (2) For the differential costs and incremental costs associated with the conversion of a diesel-powered motor vehicle or gasoline-powered motor vehicle into a dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicle, bi-fuel compressed natural gas motor vehicle, dedicated propane gas motor vehicle, or bi-fuel propane gas motor vehicle.

(b) Additional funding for the incentive program provided by this section shall be from gifts, grants, private donations, and other funds made available by the General Assembly.

(c) The Department of Agriculture shall create a rebate application process for a public entity, a company, an organization, or an affiliate of a public entity, a company, or an organization to obtain a rebate that shall include:

1. (1) An application for a rebate under this subchapter that shall include:

   1. (A) An affidavit or proof that the motor vehicle is registered in Arkansas or will be registered in Arkansas upon acquisition of the motor vehicle; and

   2. (B) Evidence of the following:

      1. (i) The purchase of a dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicle or a dedicated propane gas motor vehicle and the differential costs; or

      2. (ii) The differential costs, incremental costs, or the costs associated with the conversion of a diesel-powered motor vehicle or gasoline-powered motor vehicle into a dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicle, bi-fuel compressed natural gas motor vehicle, dedicated propane gas motor vehicle, or bi-fuel propane gas motor vehicle;

2. (2) Instructions about the rebate process;

3. (3) Scoring procedures to determine the award of the rebates; and

4. (4) Other factors that the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture deems necessary.

(d)

1. (1) The department shall prepare an annual progress report on rebates made under this section.

2. (2) The report shall include:

   1. (A) The amount of each rebate;

   2. (B) The purpose of the rebate;

   3. (C) The total amount expended by the rebate recipient in converting the diesel-powered motor vehicle or gasoline-powered motor vehicle to a dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicle, bi-fuel compressed natural gas motor vehicle, dedicated propane gas motor vehicle, or bi-fuel propane gas motor vehicle; and

   4. (D) The results produced or the progress made in the overall conversion of diesel-powered motor vehicles and gasoline-powered motor vehicles to dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicles, bi-fuel compressed natural gas motor vehicles, dedicated propane gas motor vehicles, or bi-fuel propane gas motor vehicles.

3. (3) The report for each state fiscal year shall be filed by June 30 of the following fiscal year with the office of the Governor and the Legislative Council.

(e) An independent third-party evaluator selected by the department shall:

1. (1) Study the use of a diesel-powered motor vehicle or gas-powered motor vehicle as compared to a dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicle, bi-fuel compressed natural gas motor vehicle, dedicated propane gas motor vehicle, or bi-fuel propane gas motor vehicle in the following areas:

   1. (A) Environmental impact;

   2. (B) Operational costs; and

   3. (C) Maintenance costs;

2. (2) Prepare an annual report of the results from the study; and

3. (3) File the annual report by June 30 of the following fiscal year with the office of the Governor and the Legislative Council.

(f) The rebate to be awarded by the department is the lesser of:

1. (1) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost for the differential costs, conversion kit, and incremental costs of converting a diesel-powered motor vehicle or gasoline-powered motor vehicle to a dedicated compressed natural gas motor vehicle, bi-fuel compressed natural gas motor vehicle, dedicated propane gas motor vehicle, or bi-fuel propane gas motor vehicle; or

2. (2) As determined by weight:

   1. (A) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that does not exceed eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.);

   2. (B) Eight thousand dollars ($8,000) for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is more than eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.) but does not exceed fourteen thousand pounds (14,000 lbs.);

   3. (C) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is more than fourteen thousand pounds (14,000 lbs.) but does not exceed twenty-six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.); or

   4. (D) Thirty-two thousand dollars ($32,000) for a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than twenty-six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.).

(g) A public entity, a company, an organization, or an affiliate of a public entity, a company, or an organization shall not receive more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per fiscal year for conversion kit costs, differential costs, and incremental costs.