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RELATING TO GAME MANAGEMENT; PROVIDING FOR BIG GAME DEPREDATION DAMAGE STAMPS; PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF RECEIPTS TO ALLEVIATE DAMAGE CAUSED BY BIG GAME DEPREDATION; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"BIG GAME DEPREDATION DAMAGE STAMP REQUIRED--DISPOSITION OF RECEIPTS.--

A. Each license to hunt big game shall include a big game depredation damage stamp. The department of game and fish shall, by rule, set the fee for the stamp; provided that the fee shall not exceed five dollars ($5.00) for each resident license or ten dollars ($10.00) for each nonresident license.

B. No license to hunt big game shall be considered to be a proper and valid license unless it indicates, by a stamp, check off or other official mark, that the fee for the big game depredation damage stamp has been paid.

C. Revenues received by the department of game and fish from the sale of big game depredation damage stamps shall be deposited to the credit of the big game depredation damage fund."

Section 2. A new section of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"BIG GAME DEPREDATION DAMAGE FUND--CREATION--EXPENDITURE.--

A. The "big game depredation damage fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations made to the fund, revenues received by the department of game and fish from the sale of big game depredation damage stamps and earnings from the investment of the fund. The fund shall be administered by the department and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to carry out the provisions of Subsection B of this section. Payments from the fund shall be by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration upon vouchers signed by the director of the department or his authorized representative. Balances in the fund shall not revert to any other fund.

B. The department of game and fish shall, by rule, establish a program to correct damage to federal, state or private land caused by big game and to prevent such damage in the future. Pursuant to rules adopted by the department, expenditures from the big game depredation damage fund shall be made by the department to carry out the established program; provided that money in the fund shall not be expended for any administrative costs."

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2001.