1. (a) In this section, “Fund” means the State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund.
2. (b) There is a State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund in the Department.
3. (c) The purpose of the Fund is to finance the scientific investigation, protection, propagation, and management of wildlife.
4. (d) The Department shall administer the Fund.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
   2. (2) The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

6. (f) The Fund consists of:

   1. (1) Any money received for a license, stamp, application, or permit fee under this title, unless otherwise provided;
   2. (2) Any investment earnings of the Fund; and
   3. (3) Fines and restitution paid for violations relating to wildlife trafficking under Subtitle 2B of this title.

7. (g) The Fund may be used only for:

   1. (1) The scientific investigation, protection, propagation, and management of wildlife; and
   2. (2) Administrative costs calculated in accordance with § 1-103(b)(2) of this article.

8. (h)

   1. (1) The Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
   2. (2) Any investment earnings of the Fund may not be transferred or revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund.
9. (i) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1977, c. 784, § 5; Acts 1990, c. 6, § 2; Acts 1999, c. 703, § 2, eff. May 1, 2000; Acts 2004, c. 472, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2004; Acts 2004, c. 550, § 1, eff. July 1, 2004; Acts 2005, c. 25, § 1, eff. April 12, 2005; Acts 2017, c. 102, § 1, eff. July 1, 2017; Acts 2022, c. 235, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 236, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.

Formerly Art. 66C, § 125C.