§ 41-6014 — Natural resource conservation district fund; exemption; annual report

A. The natural resource conservation district fund is established consisting of legislative appropriations, grants, federal monies and other contributions. The board shall administer the fund. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated and exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to the lapsing of appropriations.

B. On notice from the board, the state treasurer shall invest and divest monies in the fund as provided by section 35-313, and monies earned from investment shall be credited to the fund.

C. The board shall do all of the following:

1. Establish criteria for the use of monies in the fund.

2. Establish and revise, as necessary, the grant application process.

3. Review and evaluate all submitted grant applications.

4. Award grants to natural resource conservation districts and soil and water conservation districts to conduct projects that further the purpose of the district. Grants awarded pursuant to this section are exempt from chapter 23 of this title.

D. Monies in the fund may not be used to acquire property.

E. Up to ten percent of the monies in the fund may be used by the board for the administration of the fund.

F. On or before December 31, 2025 and each year thereafter, the board shall submit a report describing the grants awarded from the fund during the previous fiscal year to the governor's office of strategic planning and budgeting, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairperson of the senate natural resources, energy and water committee, or its successor committee, and the chairperson of the house natural resources, energy and water committee, or its successor committee, and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.