The state treasurer may receive funds for the wetlands property tax exemption program by legislative appropriation and by gift, grant, devise, or bequest of any money or property from any private or public source. Funds appropriated from any source for this purpose are not subject to section 54-44.1-11, and all income and moneys derived from the investment of the funds must be credited to the fund for the wetlands property tax exemption program. The director of the game and fish department, the agriculture commissioner, and the director of the department of water resources shall work with the governor, the United States fish and wildlife service, nonprofit conservation organizations, and any other public official or private organization or citizen to develop a source of funding to implement sections 57-02-08.4 and 57-02-08.5.
57-02-08.7. License fee in lieu of property taxes on leases for tourism or concession purposes. Payment of the license fee as provided in this section by the lessee of any leasehold interest in state-owned property leased from the director of the state historical society or the director of the parks and recreation department is a payment in lieu of all ad valorem taxes on the leasehold interest or any associated building or other improvement if the lessee uses the property, building, or other improvement primarily for tourism or concession purposes. The director of the state historical society or the director of the parks and recreation department shall establish the license fee at an annual amount not less than one dollar and not more than one percent of the gross receipts from the tourism or concession enterprise. The lessee shall pay the license fee to the treasurer of the county in which the tourism or concession enterprise is located and all fees received under this section must be deposited in the county general fund. The lease must indicate that the director of the state historical society or the director of the parks and recreation department approves use of the property primarily for tourism or concession purposes and intends the license fee paid by the lessee to be in lieu of ad valorem taxes.