§ 1464.203 - Eligibility.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the State's receipt of funds or control of funds under this part shall be conditioned upon the promise, obligation and understanding that the funds will be distributed to eligible tobacco growers as that term is defined in this section, in accord with the provision of this part.

(b) For a person to be considered an eligible “tobacco grower” for purposes of this part, such person must own or operate, or produce tobacco on a farm:

(1) To which was assigned a poundage quota or acreage allotment for the 1999 crop year for an eligible kind of tobacco; and

(2) That was used for the production of tobacco during the 1998 or 1999 crop year.

(c) All disputes as to eligibility shall be the responsibility of the States and any terms in the authorizing statute that are contrary to the terms of this part shall be controlling.

(d) Any interest earned by the States on sums distributed in this part shall be distributed in turn to eligible tobacco growers.

(e) Of the sums made available to the States under this part, and interest earned on such sums, an amount may be deducted by the State for such reasonable amounts as may be needed to pay the cost of distributing the funds, including the cost of private agents who may be engaged to assist the State in that respect or provide service to the State in that respect.