Sec. 43540a.

(1) Subject to subsection (4), by January 1, 2007, the department shall implement a program to distribute wild game to people in need. The program shall be known as the sportsmen against hunger program.

(2) Under the program, the department shall do all of the following:

(a) Collect donations of legally taken game that complies with all state and federal game laws, including any requirement that the parts of the game be intact.

(b) Contract for processing the donated game.

(c) Distribute the processed game to food banks, soup kitchens, and other charitable organizations that provide meals or food to people free of charge.

(d) Promote the program through the license distribution system and other means that will further the mission of the program.

(3) Under the program, the department may request financial donations to offset the cost of processing donated game. The financial donations are tax deductible.

(4) The department may contract for the administration of the program by a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, 26 USC 501, if the department determines that it is more efficient to do so. Subject to section 43540c(9), payments under the contract shall be adequate to cover the nonprofit organization's costs in administering the program. Before entering such a contract, the department shall issue a request for proposals. If the request for proposals does not yield a bid that meets the requirements of this section, the department is not required to implement the sportsmen against hunger program.

(5) To qualify to enter a contract under subsection (4), a nonprofit organization must have demonstrated a commitment to the goals of the program and have at least 5 years of experience in providing wild game or other food to people free of charge. The contract shall require that the contracting nonprofit organization do all of the following:

(a) Maintain a license under the charitable organizations and solicitations act, 1975 PA 169, MCL 400.271 to 400.294.

(b) Maintain adequate staff to perform the tasks outlined in the contract.

(c) Annually undergo an independent financial audit and provide the audit information and report to the department.

(6) As used in this section, "program" means the sportsmen against hunger program created under subsection (1).

History: Add. 2005, Act 116, Imd. Eff. Sept. 22, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 237, Eff. Sept. 25, 2018 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA