// EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2022 PER CHAPTER 261 OF 2019 //

(a)    In this section, “Gold Star recipient” means a recipient of the U.S. Department of Defense Gold Star for surviving spouses, parents, and next of kin of members of the armed forces of the United States who lost their lives in combat.

(b)    A person may purchase and donate an angler’s license, a Chesapeake Bay and coastal sport fishing license, or a hunting license and any corresponding stamps for issuance in accordance with this section.

(c)    (1)    The Department may issue a donated license or stamp only for use by a Gold Star recipient, a disabled veteran, a disabled member of the armed forces of the United States, or a permanently disabled person who requires the use of a wheelchair.

(2)    A recipient of a donated license or stamp shall be sponsored by a nonprofit charitable organization that provides recreational hunting or fishing opportunities for Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans, disabled members of the armed forces of the United States, or permanently disabled persons who require the use of a wheelchair.

(3)    A recipient of a donated hunting license is subject to the hunting safety requirements under § 10–301.1 of this article.

(d)    Only one eligible person may hunt under the authority of a donated license or stamp during one recreational license year.

(e)    The Department:

(1)    May not charge a fee for the issuance of a donated license or stamp; and

(2)    May issue a donated license or stamp to an eligible resident or nonresident of the State.

(f)    On or before October 1, 2017, and each year thereafter, the Department shall post on its website the names of the persons who donated recreational licenses or stamps in the previous recreational license years, unless a person who donates a license or stamp requests anonymity.

(g)    The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section, including regulations establishing eligibility requirements for donors, sponsors, and recipients of donated recreational licenses and stamps.

(h)    (1)    In this subsection, “Fund” means the Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund.

(2)    There is a Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund.

(3)    The purpose of the Fund is to provide recreational hunting and fishing opportunities for Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans, disabled members of the armed forces of the United States, and permanently disabled persons who require the use of a wheelchair.

(4)    The Secretary shall administer the Fund.

(5)    (i)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

(ii)    The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

(6)    The Fund consists of:

(i)    Revenue collected by the Department for the purchase and donation of recreational hunting or fishing licenses or stamps under this section;

(ii)    Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and

(iii)    Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.

(7)    The Fund may be used only for donated recreational hunting or fishing licenses or stamps for use by Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans, disabled members of the armed forces of the United States, or permanently disabled persons who require the use of a wheelchair.

(8)    (i)    The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.

(ii)    Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State.

(9)    Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

(10)    Money expended from the Fund for donated recreational licenses or stamps is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for recreational licenses or stamps for use by Gold Star recipients, disabled veterans, disabled members of the armed forces of the United States, or permanently disabled persons who require the use of a wheelchair.