69-9-203 - Enforcement and administration of chapter Disposition of funds Rewards for information on violations.

69-9-203. Enforcement and administration of chapter Disposition of funds Rewards for information on violations.

(a)  It is the sole duty and responsibility of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency to enforce and administer the provisions of this chapter.

(b)  All expenses required for the administration and enforcement of this chapter shall be paid for with funds collected pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. All moneys collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the wildlife resources fund. The moneys shall be made available to the wildlife resources agency for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, as provided in this section, and for educational activities relating to boating safety and for no other purposes.

(c)  All moneys otherwise provided for pursuant to this chapter shall be made available to carry out the intent and purpose as set forth in this chapter in accordance with plans approved by the wildlife resources commission. All such funds are hereby appropriated, reserved, set aside and made available until expended for the enforcement and administration of this chapter. The wildlife resources commission is hereby authorized to adopt a plan or formula for the use of the moneys for employing and equipping such additional personnel as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of this chapter and for paying a proportionate share of the salaries, expense, and operational costs of existing personnel according to the time and effort expended by them in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Such plan or formula may be altered or amended from time to time by the commission as existing conditions may warrant.

(d)  No funds derived from the sale of hunting licenses or fishing licenses, or other wildlife resources funds shall be expended or diverted for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(e)  The executive director is authorized to offer rewards or payments for information that may aid in the conviction of any offender violating a provision of this chapter or any other law relating to boating.

[Acts 1965, ch. 334, § 3; impl. am. Acts 1974, ch. 481, § 20; 1975, ch. 87, § 1; 1975, ch. 184, §§ 1-4; T.C.A., § 70-2203; T.C.A. § 69-10-203; Acts 2007, ch. 185, § 1.]