Alaska Statutes Title 16. Fish and Game § 16.05.130. Diversion of funds prohibited; separate accounts

(a) Except as provided in (c) of this section, money accruing to the state from sport fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses, tags, or permit fees may not be diverted to a purpose other than the protection, propagation, investigation, and restoration of sport fish and game resources and the expenses of administering the sport fish and game divisions of the department.

(b) Money accruing to the state from waterfowl conservation tag fees from hunters may not be diverted to a purpose other than (1) the conservation and enhancement of waterfowl; (2) the acquisition, by lease or otherwise, of wetlands that are important for waterfowl and public use of waterfowl in the state; (3) waterfowl related projects approved by the commissioner; (4) the administration of the waterfowl conservation program; and (5) emergencies in the state as determined by the governor. The department shall maintain a state waterfowl tag fee account within the fish and game fund to permit separate accounting records for the receipt and expenditure of money derived from the sale of waterfowl tags. The department shall prepare a report before April 15 of each even-numbered year for the public and the legislature on the use of money derived from waterfowl conservation tags and limited edition prints. The department shall notify the legislature that the report is available.

(c) Money accruing to the state from the sale of resident trapping licenses may only be used for furbearer management. The department shall maintain a furbearer management account within the fish and game fund under AS 16.05.100 for separate accounting of receipt and expenditure of money from the sale of resident trapping licenses. Furbearer management shall be designed to enhance the furbearer population, increase the productivity of furbearer habitats, initiate useful furbearer research, and educate trappers consistent with the goal to provide for an optimum population of furbearers.

(d) Revenue from the sale of general hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses and tags together with the federal matching funds from Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux programs shall be allocated by the department to programs intended to directly benefit license purchasers of general hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses. The department shall prepare an annual report by project of expenditures from the fish and game fund and notify the legislature that the report is available.

(e), (f) Repealed by SLA 2016, ch. 18, § 34, eff. Jan. 1, 2021.

(g) Money accruing to the state from the intensive management surcharge imposed under AS 16.05.340(k) shall be deposited in a separate account known as the sustainable wildlife account in the fish and game fund. Money in the sustainable wildlife account shall be allocated to intensive management programs intended to sustain and enhance big game prey populations under AS 16.05.255(e).

(h) Money accruing to the state from the auction or raffle of bear viewing permits under AS 16.05.343(c) shall be deposited in a separate account known as the nongame conservation account in the fish and game fund. Money in the account shall be allocated to programs relating to wildlife sanctuaries and refuges, fish and wildlife diversity, wildlife viewing, educational programs, and related outreach efforts.