(a) The commissioner may use money from the permanent fund for emergency medical services and trauma care established under § 403.106, Government Code, to provide grants, in addition to funding available from other sources, to emergency medical services providers applying for assistance under the program or to provide funding to a general academic teaching institution, medical and dental unit, other agency of higher education, or public technical institute offering the educational curriculum under this subchapter.
(b) The commissioner shall ensure that at least 60 percent of the grants provided under this section are provided to emergency medical services providers that serve a rural area.

(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish a procedure for the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council to establish priorities for issuance of grants under this section.
(d) The department shall distribute grants under this section in accordance with the requirements of Subsection (b) and the grant priorities established under Subsection (c).