(a)  The department may annually set aside three million dollars ($3,000,000) appropriated for the purposes of the competitive grants program established pursuant to this article in order to support efforts to link the statewide media campaign to local communities and to provide regional public and community relations or media initiatives.

(b)  Local community initiatives may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

Terms Used In California Health and Safety Code 104465

(1)  Encouraging volunteer efforts.

(2)  Local media programming.

(3)  Provision of assistance in, and facilitation of, public and community events.

(c)  The efforts described in subdivision (b) shall be directed principally to the target communities described in Section 104360.

(d)  Regular application procedures for competitive grants under this article shall apply to applications for grants under this section.

(e)  Funds awarded pursuant to this section shall be awarded in the same manner as other competitive grants under this article.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 230, Sec. 7. Effective August 11, 2003.)