Sec. 43555.

(1) Thirty-five cents from each license and stamp fee prescribed in this part, except for fees for licenses described in section 43553(5), shall be transmitted to the department for deposit in the wildlife resource protection fund created in this section.

(2) The wildlife resource protection fund is created as a separate fund within the state treasury. The state treasurer shall credit the money received from the department under this section to the wildlife resource protection fund. The money in the wildlife resource protection fund shall be expended by the department for the following purposes:

(a) Rewards for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of poachers and persons who obstruct or interfere in the lawful taking of animals or aquatic species in violation of section 40112 or 48702a, respectively. If a violation of section 40112 or 48702a involved killing a person engaged in lawfully taking an animal or aquatic species, the reward shall be $5,000.00. A person whose lawful taking of an animal or aquatic species is obstructed or interfered in is not eligible to receive a reward under this subdivision.

(b) Hiring conservation officers for the investigation of poaching and the investigation of tips regarding potential poaching.

(c) A promotional and educational campaign to inform the general public on 1 or more of the following:

(i) The harm and danger of poaching.

(ii) The reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of poachers and persons who obstruct or interfere in the lawful taking of animals or aquatic species in violation of section 40112 or 48702a, respectively.

(iii) Other antipoaching programs undertaken by the department.

(iv) How to identify and report persons who obstruct or interfere in the lawful taking of animals or aquatic species in violation of section 40112 or 48702a, respectively.

(3) At the time a person purchases a license or stamp under this part, he or she may make a voluntary contribution in any amount to the wildlife resource protection fund to be expended for the purposes provided in subsection (2). A person who wishes to make such a contribution may purchase 1 or more conservation law enforcement stamps from a person authorized to issue licenses and sportcards under this part.

(4) The department shall annually report to the legislature on the expenditures from the wildlife resource protection fund.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 585, Eff. Mar. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 472, Eff. Mar. 23, 1999 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA