§ 4049. Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund

(a) The General Assembly recognizes the importance to the people of Vermont of conserving Vermont’s fish and wildlife resources. Therefore, in order to provide the opportunity for Vermonters to invest in the future of its fish and wildlife resources, there is hereby created a Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund within the Fish and Wildlife Fund that shall consist of:

(1) receipts from sales of any lifetime licenses created pursuant to subsection 4279(f) of this title;

(2) any gifts, grants, or contributions made to the Trust Fund;

(3) funds that may be appropriated by the General Assembly.

(b) The Commissioner, after consultation with the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Secretary of Administration, and the State Treasurer, may determine whether the Trust Fund is to be managed by the State Treasurer or by a private firm contracted by the State Treasurer at the direction of the Commissioner.

(c) When the balance of the Trust Fund reaches $250,000.00, the Commissioner may withdraw interest as needed for operation of departmental programs. The principal shall remain in the Trust Fund in perpetuity, even should provisions of law regarding lifetime licenses be repealed.

(d) [Repealed.] (Added 1991, No. 205 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 1993; amended 1993, No. 191 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 2, 3; 1997, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. April 27, 1998; 1997, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 41, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)