(1)    Beginning on January 1, 1998, the department may not enter into any agreement to make payments to persons holding approvals issued under s. 29.501, 29.503, 29.506, 29.509, 29.512, 29.514, 29.519, 29.523, 29.526, 29.529, 29.531, 29.533, 29.537, 29.607, 29.611, or 29.614 in exchange for the retirement of the approval or for the temporary or permanent cessation of any activity authorized under the approval.

   (2)   Notwithstanding sub. (1), an agreement entered into by the department before October 14, 1997, to make payments to persons holding commercial fishing licenses in exchange for the retirement of the licenses or for the permanent or temporary cessation of commercial fishing shall remain valid except that no moneys may be expended from the conservation fund to make payments under the agreement.