Delaware § 1312 - Wildlife Theft Prevention Special Fund.

§ 1312. Wildlife Theft Prevention Special Fund.

(a) There is hereby established by this section a Wildlife Theft Prevention Special Fund which shall consist of:

(1) Moneys received from fines imposed for violations of Chapters 1, 5, 6 and 7 of this title;

(2) Moneys received from donations to the Fund;

(3) Moneys appropriated by the General Assembly to the Fund to carry out the purposes provided for in this section.

(b) Funds from the Wildlife Theft Prevention Special Fund shall be expended only for the following purposes:

(1) Financing of rewards to persons other than peace officers, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control personnel or members of their immediate families, responsible for information leading to the conviction of any person for unlawfully taking, wounding or carrying, possessing, transporting or selling wildlife or trapping, attempting to trap or illegally setting traps for the purpose of catching wildlife. The Division of Fish and Wildlife shall establish a schedule of rewards for information received and payment shall be made from the funds available for this purpose. The amount of such reward shall not exceed $1,000;

(2) Financing of a statewide telephone reporting system containing the name of Operation Game Theft;

(3) Promotion of public recognition and awareness of the Wildlife Theft Prevention Special Program.

(c) The Wildlife Theft Prevention Special Fund shall be expended in conformity with the laws governing the state financial operations, except that regulations shall be developed by the Department to maintain the confidentiality of the informant’s identity.

(d) For the purpose of implementing paragraph (a)(1) of this section, all moneys received from fines assessed for violation of Chapters 1, 5, 6 and 7 of this title shall be deposited at least monthly with the State Treasurer to be retained by him or her in a Special Fund until expended upon proper vouchers of the Department to carry out the purposes of this section.

62 Del. Laws, c. 326, §  4;  67 Del. Laws, c. 307, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;