The Maine Military Family Relief Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as a nonlapsing fund in the department administered according to rules adopted by the Adjutant General. Except as provided in subsection 1, the Adjutant General is authorized to award loans and grants from the fund for emergencies and other special needs to members or families of members of the Maine National Guard or residents of the State who are members or families of members of the Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States and to distribute funds to a statewide nonprofit organization established for the purpose of providing assistance to members or families of members of the Maine National Guard or residents of the State who are members or families of members of the Reserves of the Armed Forces of the United States. The Military Bureau shall adopt rules establishing eligibility criteria for the loans and grants. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [2009, c. 481, §6 (AMD).]