44-1531.01. Consumer protection-consumer fraud revolving fund; use of fund

A. The consumer protection-consumer fraud revolving fund is established to be administered by the attorney general under the conditions and for the purposes provided by this section. Monies in the fund are subject to legislative appropriation. Monies in the fund are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, relating to lapsing of appropriations.

B. The fund consists of the following:

1. Any investigative or court costs, attorney fees or civil penalties recovered for the state by the attorney general as a result of enforcement of either state or federal statutes pertaining to consumer protection or consumer fraud, whether by final judgment, settlement or otherwise, except that the costs, penalties or fees recovered by a county attorney shall be retained in the county and used for investigative operations for consumer protection in the county.

2. Monies deposited pursuant to section 41-5603.

C. The attorney general shall use the monies in the fund for operating expenses, including any cost or expense associated with the tobacco master settlement agreement arbitration, consumer fraud education and investigative and enforcement operations of the consumer protection division.

D. On or before January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, the attorney general shall file with the governor, with copies to the director of the department of administration, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the secretary of state and the staff director of the joint legislative budget committee, a full and complete account of the receipts and disbursements from the fund in the previous calendar quarter.

E. On or before January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, each county attorney who retains monies pursuant to subsection B of this section shall provide the county board of supervisors with a full and complete account of the receipts and disbursements of the monies in the previous calendar quarter.