(A) The County Game and Fish Fund is created for the purpose of receiving revenue generated from the following sources:
(1) the designated portion of each annual nonresident freshwater fishing license;
(2) revenue from fines, fees, and forfeitures for violations of Chapters 1 through 16;
(3) unexpended revenue from prior years;
(4) restricted interest income;
(5) revenue generated from the disposal of surplus equipment.
These funds must be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to a special account separate and distinct from the general fund. The funds only may be used for the purposes set forth in this section.
(B) Revenue must be expended by the department for the protection, promotion, propagation, and management of fisheries and wildlife, the enforcement of related laws, the administration of the department, and the dissemination of information, facts, and findings the department considers necessary.
(C) The fund must be further separated into forty-six subaccounts, one for each county. A report must be made annually to each member of the forty-six county delegations as to the balances in these accounts. Following the annual report distribution, the most recent report of balances available must be furnished to a delegation member making a request. Each county delegation may make recommendations to the department regarding the expenditure of funds from the County Game and Fish Fund for the protection, promotion, propagation, and management of fisheries and wildlife. The department must give these recommendations primary consideration over any other projects.
(D) If any equipment purchased by the department with these funds is sold, the proceeds of the sale retained by the department must be credited to the county fund from which the original purchase was made.
(E) Expenditures from this fund that have the approval of the county delegation are exempt from Act 651 of 1978, as amended.
(F) Interest earned on revenues deposited to the County Game and Fish Fund must be credited to the fund and expended for those same purposes.
(G) Balances must be retained and carried forward annually and may be used to match available federal funds.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010.