§669b Authorization of Appropriations

Summary

All money from the specific taxes on certain hunting and fishing items must go into the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund each year, starting in fiscal year 1975, after any legal exemptions. That money can be spent to carry out the wildlife programs in this law. Any share given to a State but not spent by the end of the year can still be used in that State until the end of the next fiscal year. If State money for a project is left unspent or not obligated when its time runs out, the Secretary of the Interior can use it for the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. A special subaccount called the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account was created and $50,000,000 was authorized for fiscal year 2001 to help State wildlife programs. The Treasury can invest fund money it does not need right away in U.S. government bonds and must credit the interest back to the fund. That interest can be allocated under the law and will be available for apportionment at the start of fiscal year 2033. Money in the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account is meant to add to, not replace, existing wildlife and sport fish restoration funds and can be used by States and tribes to plan and run conservation, education, and wildlife recreation projects, including work for species that are not hunted or fished. Priority goes to the species a State says need the most help. Amounts given to a State from this subaccount stay available for obligation in that State until the end of the second succeeding fiscal year.