1.Fund established. The Maine Environmental Trust Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established as a nonlapsing fund administered by the commissioner for the purposes of improving state parks and historic sites by supporting the Parks General Operations Fund established in section 1825, subsection 1-A and managing nongame wildlife by supporting the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund established in section 10253, subsection 1. Money deposited with the Treasurer of State to the credit of the fund may be invested as provided by law. Income from these investments must be credited to the fund. [2019, c. 343, Pt. Y, §3(AMD).]
2.Fund sources. The fund receives money deposited by the Treasurer of State pursuant to Title 29-A, section 455 and any other gift, grant or other source of revenue deposited for that use. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2(NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9(AFF).]
3. Distribution from fund. Money distributed from the fund may be used for marketing the plates and for the production and marketing of goods using the environmental plate design. After the Treasurer of State has reimbursed the Secretary of State for costs of producing and issuing environmental registration plates in accordance with Title 29-A, section 455, the Treasurer of State shall, at the end of each quarter in the fiscal year, distribute the balance in the fund as follows:A. Sixty percent of the balance must be deposited in the Parks General Operations Fund established in section 1825, subsection 1-A; and [2019, c. 343, Pt. Y, §4(AMD).]B. Forty percent of the balance must be deposited in the Maine Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund established in section 10253. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2(NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9(AFF).] [2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §29(AMD).]
4.Budget. The commissioner shall submit a budget for each biennium pursuant to Title 5, sections 1663 and 1666. [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2(NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9(AFF).]
Amended by 2023SP1, c. 405,§ A-29, eff. 7/10/2023.Amended by 2019, c. 343,§ Y-4, eff. 6/17/2019.Amended by 2019, c. 343,§ Y-3, eff. 6/17/2019.2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW) . 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF) . 2003, c. 614, § 9 (AFF) .