(a) An institution of higher education shall use any money received under a cooperative agreement to carry out plant pest and disease detection and surveillance approved by the department to prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases.
(b) The non-state share of the cost of carrying out a cooperative agreement may be provided in-kind, including by covering certain indirect costs the department considers appropriate.

(c) The department may not consider an applicant’s ability to pay or cover non-state costs when deciding whether to enter into a cooperative agreement with the applicant.