Sec. 43553.

(1) The department shall transmit all money received from the sale of licenses to the state treasurer, together with a statement indicating the amount of money received and the source of the money.

(2) Except as provided in section 43555 and subsection (5), the state treasurer shall credit the money received from the sale of passbooks and licenses to the game and fish protection account.

(3) Except as provided in sections 43524, 43525, 43525b, and 43554 and subsection (4), money credited to the game and fish protection account shall be paid out by the state treasurer pursuant to the accounting laws of this state for the following purposes:

(a) Services rendered by the department, together with the expenses incurred in the enforcement and administration of the wildlife and fisheries laws of the state, including the necessary equipment and apparatus incident to the operation and enforcement of the wildlife and fisheries laws, and the protection, propagation, distribution, and control of wildlife and fish.

(b) The propagation and liberation of wildlife or fish and for their increase at the time, place, and manner as the department considers advisable.

(c) The purchase, lease, and management of lands, together with the necessary equipment for the purpose of propagating and rearing wildlife or fish, and for establishing and maintaining game refuges, wildlife sanctuaries, and public shooting and fishing grounds. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, not more than 0.25% of the money credited to the game and fish protection account shall be used to purchase lands under this subdivision. However, if all of the money appropriated from the natural resources trust fund for eco-region acquisition carried over from previous fiscal years is spent, then the 0.25% limitation under this subdivision does not apply. Land shall not be purchased under this subdivision until that purchase is approved by the joint capital outlay subcommittee.

(d) Conducting investigations and compiling and publishing information relative to the propagation, protection, and conservation of wildlife.

(e) Delivering lectures, developing cooperation, and carrying on appropriate educational activities relating to the conservation of the wildlife of this state.

(4) The department may make direct grants to colleges and universities in this state, out of funds appropriated from the game and fish protection account, to conduct fish or wildlife research or both fish and wildlife research.

(5) The youth hunting and fishing education and outreach fund is created as a separate fund in the department of treasury. Until March 1, 2014, the state treasurer shall credit to the youth hunting and fishing education and outreach fund the money received from the sale of small game licenses and all-species fishing licenses under sections 43523 and 43532, respectively, to minor children. Beginning March 1, 2014, the state treasurer shall credit to the youth hunting and fishing education and outreach fund $1.00 received from the sale of each base license to minor children under section 43523a. Money in the youth hunting and fishing education and outreach fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.

(6) Money credited to the youth hunting and fishing education and outreach fund shall be paid out by the state treasurer pursuant to the accounting laws of this state for hunting and fishing education and outreach programs for minor children.

(7) The department and any other executive department of the state that receives money from the game and fish protection account or the youth hunting and fishing education and outreach fund shall submit an annual report to the legislature showing the amount of money received by the department or other executive department from the game and fish protection account or the youth hunting and fishing education and outreach fund and how that money was spent. An executive department required to submit a report as provided in this subsection shall send a copy of the report to the legislature and to the department.

(8) Not later than November 1, 2013, the department shall complete and post on its website a fisheries division strategic and tactical plan with measures and metrics.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 585, Eff. Mar. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 587, Eff. Dec. 23, 2006 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 280, Imd. Eff. July 10, 2006 ;-- Am. 2013, Act 108, Imd. Eff. Sept. 17, 2013 Compiler's Notes: Enacting section 2 of Act 587 of 2004 provides:"Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect unless House Joint Resolution Z of the 92nd Legislature becomes a part of the state constitution of 1963 as provided in section 1 of article XII of the state constitution of 1963."Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA