1. (1) As used in this section, "fund" means the Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund created in Subsection (2).
2. (2) There is created an expendable special revenue fund known as the "Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund."

3. (3)

   1. (a) The fund shall consist of:

      1. (i) criminal restitution collected by the office as a result of an offense under Section 76-6-107.5 or 76-6-902;
      2. (ii) money appropriated by the Legislature; and
      3. (iii) interest, dividends, or other income earned on fund money.
   2. (b) Any portion of the fund may be maintained in an interest-bearing account.

4. (4)

   1. (a) The office may use the fund for the restoration of, and prevention of, harm to public lands and cultural sites, including:

      1. (i) repairing, restoring, or remediating harm caused by an offense described in Section 76-6-107.5 or 76-6-902, which may include coordination with the agency with jurisdiction over the affected area;

      2. (ii) educating the public:

         1. (A) of the criminal laws and penalties relating to public lands and cultural sites;
         2. (B) how to report a criminal act observed on public lands or at a cultural site; and
         3. (C) regarding the protection, purpose, significance, and value of preserving public lands and cultural sites;
      3. (iii) providing educational seminars and training to state agencies, local agencies, private organizations, and individuals regarding the preservation and protection of public lands and cultural sites; and

      4. (iv) in coordination with other state agencies, enforcement and educational activities concerning the preservation of, and protection of, public lands and cultural sites, which may include:

         1. (A) operation and maintenance of anti-vandalism projects; and
         2. (B) acquisition of signage and site-monitoring equipment.
   2. (b) If the harm caused by an offender's commission of an offense under Section 76-6-107.5 or 76-6-902 may be repaired, restored, or remediated, the office shall prioritize the use of any money received from the offender as a result of the offense for the purposes described in Subsection (4)(a)(i).

Enacted by Chapter 376, 2026 General Session