GRANTS FOR COURT SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS

(a) The office shall develop and administer, except as provided by Subsection (c), a program to provide grants from available funds to counties for initiatives that will enhance their court systems or otherwise carry out the purposes of this chapter. (b) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a county must: (1) use the grant money to implement initiatives that will enhance the county's court system, including initiatives to develop programs to more efficiently manage cases that require special judicial attention, or otherwise carry out the purposes of this chapter; and (2) apply for the grant in accordance with procedures developed by the office and comply with any other requirements of the office. (c) The judicial committee for additional resources shall determine whether to award a grant to a county that meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by Subsection (b). (d) If the judicial committee for additional resources awards a grant to a county, the office shall: (1) direct the comptroller to distribute the grant money to the county; and (2) monitor the county's use of the grant money. (e) The office may accept gifts, grants, and donations for purposes of this section. The office may not use state funds to provide a grant under this section or to administer the grant program.