(1) small communities often struggle to meet
environmental goals because of difficulty in securing
funding;
(2) often, sources of funding for environmental
projects require expensive, complex studies or other
application materials;
(3) a small community that secures funding for
an environmental project from a traditional source
often is unable to provide matching funds required
by the traditional source; and
(4) small communities would benefit from a
grant program designed to provide funding for envi-
ronmental projects—
(A) through a simplified application proc-
ess; and
(B) without the requirement of matching
funds.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency.
(2) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘council’’ means an
independent citizens’ council established by section
4(b).
(3) ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘environ-
mental project’’ means a project that—
(i) benefits human health or the envi-
ronment; and
(ii) is necessary to comply with an en-
vironmental law (including a regulation).
(B) 
INCLUSION.—The 
term 
‘‘environ-
mental project’’ includes an initial feasibility
study of a project.
(4) REGION.—The term ‘‘region’’ means a geo-
graphic area of a State, as determined by the Gov-
ernor of the State.
(5) SEARCH GRANT.—The term ‘‘SEARCH
grant’’ means a grant for special environmental as-
sistance for the regulation of communities and habi-
tat awarded under section 4(c)(3).
(6) SMALL
COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘small
community’’ means an incorporated or unincor-
porated community having a population of not more
than 2,500 individuals.
SEC. 4. SEARCH GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the
SEARCH Grant Program.
(2) STATE REQUIREMENTS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than October
1 of each fiscal year, a State may submit to the
Administrator an application to receive a grant
under paragraph (3) for the fiscal year.
(B) APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS.—An
application 
under 
subparagraph 
(A) 
shall
contain—
(i) a certification by the State that
the State has appointed members to the
council of the State under subsection
(b)(2)(C); and
(ii) such information as the Adminis-
trator may reasonably require.
(3) GRANT TO STATE.—Not later than 60 days
after the date on which the Office of Management
and Budget apportions any amounts made available
under this Act, for each fiscal year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, on
request by a State—
(A) determine whether any application
submitted by the State under paragraph (2)
meets the requirements of that paragraph; and
(B) subject to section 6(b), if the Adminis-
trator determines that the application meets the
requirements of paragraph (2)(B), award a
grant of $1,000,000 to the State, to be used by
the council of the State to award SEARCH
grants under subsection (b)(3).
(b) INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’ COUNCIL.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in
each State an independent citizens’ council to carry
out the duties described in this section.
(2) COMPOSITION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each council shall be
composed of 9 members, appointed by the Gov-
ernor of the State.
(B) REPRESENTATION; RESIDENCE.—Each
member of a council shall—
(i) represent an individual region of
the State, as determined by the Governor
of the State in which the council is estab-
lished; and
(ii) reside in a small community of the
State.
(C) APPOINTMENT.—Before a State re-
ceives funds under this Act, the State shall ap-
point members to the council for the fiscal year;
except that not more than 1 member shall be
an agent, employee, or official of the State gov-
ernment.
(D) CHAIRPERSON.—Each council shall se-
lect a chairperson from among the members of
the council, except that a member who is an
agent, employee, or official of the State govern-
ment shall not serve as chairperson.
(E) 
FEDERAL
REPRESENTATION.—An
agent, employee, or official of the Federal Gov-
ernment shall participate in the activities of the
council only—
(i) in an advisory capacity; and
(ii) at the invitation of the council.
(3) SEARCH GRANTS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each council shall re-
view applications for, and recommend awards
of, SEARCH grants to small communities that
meet the eligibility criteria under subsection (c).
(B) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In accordance
with State law, in awarding a SEARCH grant,
a State shall—
(i) follow the recommendations of the
council; and