Sec. 10. 30-A MRSA §4346, 2nd ¶, as amended by PL 2001, c. 578, §19, is further amended to read:

The office may enter into financial assistance grants only to the extent that funds are available. In making grants, the office shall consider the need for planning in a municipality or multimunicipal region, the proximity of the municipality or multimunicipal region to other areas that are conducting or have completed the planning process and the economic and geographic role of the municipality or multimunicipal region within a regional context. The office may consider other criteria in making grants, as long as the criteria support the goal of encouraging and facilitating the adoption and implementation of local and multimunicipal growth management programs consistent with the provisions of this article procedures, goals and guidelines established in this subchapter. In order to maximize the availability of the technical and financial assistance program to all municipalities, multimunicipal regions and regional councils, financial assistance programs administered competitively under this article are exempt from rules adopted by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services pursuant to Title 5, section 1825-C for use in the purchase of services and the awarding of grants and contracts. The office shall publish a program statement describing its grant program and advertising its availability to eligible applicants.

Sec. 11. 30-A MRSA §4346, sub-§2-B, ¶H, as amended by PL 2001, c. 578, §19, is further amended to read:

H. Any other purpose agreed to by the office and the municipality or multimunicipal region that is directly related to the preparation of a comprehensive plan or the implementation of a comprehensive plan adopted under in accordance with the procedures, goals and guidelines established in this subchapter.

Sec. 12. 30-A MRSA §4346, sub-§2-D is enacted to read:

2-D.__Encumbered balances at year-end.__Notwithstanding Title 5, section 1589, at the end of each fiscal year, all