§ 146-17.1. Rewards; reclamation of certain State lands; wrongful removal of timber from State lands.
§146‑17.1. Rewards; reclamation of certain State lands; wrongful removalof timber from State lands.
(a) The Department ofAdministration, acting on behalf of the State, for the purpose of discoveringState lands, may, with the approval of the Governor and Council of State, payany person, firm or corporation who shall provide information that leads to thesuccessful reclamation of any swamplands or vacant and unappropriated lands ofthe State, a reward equal to one percent (1%) of the appraised value of thereclaimed land, or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever sum is less. Allexpenses incurred by the Department pursuant to this subsection shall be paidfrom the State Land Fund, unless otherwise provided by the General Assembly.
(b) The Department ofAdministration, acting on behalf of the State, may, with the approval of theGovernor and Council of State, pay any person, firm or corporation who shallprovide information that leads to a successful monetary recovery by the Statefrom any person, firm or corporation who wrongfully cuts or removes timber fromState lands, a reward equal to one percent (1%) of the amount of said monetaryrecovery, or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever sum is less. All expensesincurred by the Department pursuant to this subsection shall be paid from saidmonetary recovery, unless otherwise provided by the General Assembly.
(c) No State employeeor official, or other public employee or official, shall be eligible for areward pursuant to subsections (a) or (b) of this section for providing anyinformation obtained in the normal course of his or her official duties. (1979,c. 742, s. 1.)