KRS § 150.021 Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources -- Administrative attachment to Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet -- Assessment of fee for debt service on radio system capital project -- Department not subject to reorganization.
AI-assisted research summary: The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is set up as an independent state department, must enforce wildlife laws and regulations, and is protected from reorganization under KRS Chapter 12. The Finance and Administration Cabinet must charge the department an annual fee tied to a radio-system debt service project.
150.021 Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources -- Administrative attachment to Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet -- Assessment of fee for debt service on radio system capital project -- Department not subject to reorganization. (1) The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources shall constitute an independent department of state government within the meaning of KRS Chapter 12, and shall be administratively attached to the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet only for those limited functions and purposes expressly requested by the department to be performed by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The department shall have sole discretion as to which functions shall be deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the department and the properties in its custody and control. The department shall consist of a commissioner, a Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission, the Division of Law Enforcement, and other agents and employees provided for in this chapter. The department shall enforce the laws and regulations adopted under this chapter relating to wildlife and shall exercise all powers necessarily incident thereto. (2) (a) The Finance and Administration Cabinet shall assess the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources each fiscal year a fee in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the debt service associated with all phases and implementation of the capital project to replace, repair, or maintain the two (2) way radio system utilized by the Department of Kentucky State Police. (b) The fee shall be assessed on each phase of the implementation of the two (2) way radio system and shall continue to be assessed until all debt for the system has been retired. (3) On April 13, 2022, copies of any records, files, or documents, including any legal documents or memoranda, associated with functions of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources that were previously performed by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet but for which it is no longer deemed responsible, shall be transmitted to the department. (4) The department shall not be subject to reorganization under KRS Chapter 12. Effective: April 13, 2022 History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 197, sec. 3, effective April 13, 2022. -- Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 161, sec. 1, effective March 29, 2021. -- Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 171, sec. 10, effective April 14, 2018; and ch. 207, sec. 10, effective April 27, 2018. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 23, sec. 14, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 118, sec. 9, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 496, sec. 43, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 143 -- Amended 1952 Ky. Acts ch. 200, sec. 3 -- Amended 1948 Ky. Acts ch. 78, sec. 3 -- Created 1944 Ky. Acts ch. 6, sec. 1. 2026-2028 Budget Reference. See State/Executive Branch Budget, 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 168, Pt. I, F, 3, (1) at 2082.