(a) The fish and wildlife commission is directed and authorized to perform the following duties and functions:

(1) Appoint and dismiss the executive director;

(2) Approve the budget pursuant to § 70-1-306;

(3) Promulgate necessary rules, regulations, and proclamations as required under this title and title 69, chapter 9. The commission is also authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to permit a licensed trapper to release small game animals in counties contiguous to the counties where the animals were trapped;

(4) Establish objectives within the state policy that will enable the wildlife resources agency to develop, manage and maintain sound programs of hunting, fishing, trapping and other wildlife related outdoor recreational activities;

(5) Establish the salary of the executive director of the wildlife resources agency;

(6) Promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of the Reelfoot Lake natural area, as provided in title 11, chapter 14, part 1; and

(7) Promulgate rules and regulations to adjust fees for licenses and permits in this title and to establish new hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and permits as deemed appropriate along with necessary fees. Adjusting or establishing fees shall be in such amounts as may be necessary to administer the wildlife laws; provided, that the percentage increase in total revenue from a license package containing one (1) or more licenses or permits, or both, shall not exceed the percent of increase in the average consumer price index, all items-city average, as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, on the first day of March 1990, or, in the case of any permit, license or permit/license package fee adjustment after the initial adjustment under this subdivision (a)(7), the difference in the average consumer price index, all items-city average between the dates of one (1) adjustment and any subsequent adjustment; provided further, however, that individual fee adjustment amounts may be rounded up to the next dollar amount. All such fees, and any adjustments to the fees, shall be deposited in the wildlife resources fund and shall be expended solely for the administration and operation of the agency’s programs and responsibilities authorized pursuant to this chapter. Further, the commission shall report actions taken on permits, licenses, and fees to be assessed following the promulgation of the proposed rules and regulations to the energy, agriculture and natural resources committee of the senate and to the agriculture and natural resources committee of the house of representatives.

(b) The fish and wildlife commission shall become knowledgeable in and familiar with the special needs of handicapped and disabled veterans.