Sec. 15.853. USE OF FUND. (a) Money in the fund may be used only for the following purposes, in the following order of priority:

(1) grants to the Parks and Wildlife Department:

(A) to develop a state aquatic vegetation management plan in coordination with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the Department of Agriculture, water districts and other political subdivisions with jurisdiction over public bodies of surface water, and public drinking water providers, as required by Section 11.082, Parks and Wildlife Code; or

(B) for research, outreach, and educational activities that relate to vegetation control;

(2) grants to political subdivisions to develop local aquatic vegetation management plans that conform to the state aquatic vegetation management plan, as authorized by Section 11.083, Parks and Wildlife Code; and

(3) grants to political subdivisions to manage aquatic vegetation infestations under the state plan or the approved local plan adopted by the political subdivision.

(b) The amount of funding for the purposes authorized by Subsection (a) may not exceed amounts equal to the following percentages of any biennial appropriation to the board for use under this subchapter:

(1) 30 percent, for purposes authorized by Subsection (a)(1); and

(2) 70 percent, for purposes authorized by Subsections (a)(2) and (3), of which not more than 35 percent may be used for purposes authorized by Subsection (a)(3) using chemical treatments.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1461, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.