Maryland Natural Resources Section 5-212

      (a)      In this section, "Fund" means the Forest or Park Reserve Fund.

      (b)      There is a Forest or Park Reserve Fund in the Department.

      (c)      The purpose of the Fund is to enable the Department to purchase and manage in the name of the State lands suitable for forest culture, reserves, watershed protection, State parks, scenic preserves, historic monuments, parkways, and State recreational reserves.

      (d)      The Department shall administer the Fund.

      (e)      (1)      The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

            (2)      The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

      (f)      The Fund consists of:

            (1)      Any money obtained from the State forest reserves, State parks, scenic reserves, parkways, historic monuments, and recreation areas;

            (2)      Revenue distributed to the Fund from fines collected under § 5-1302 of this title; and

            (3)      Revenue received by the Fund under § 5-207(b) of this subtitle.

      (g)      The Fund may be used only for:

            (1)      Purchasing and managing in the name of the State lands suitable for forest culture, reserves, watershed protection, State parks, scenic preserves, historic monuments, parkways, and State recreational reserves;

            (2)      Annual payments to counties in the amount of:

                  (i)      If the State forest or park reserve comprises less than 10% of the total land area of the county, a sum equal to 15% of the revenue derived from the State forest or park reserve located in that county; and

                  (ii)      If the State forest or park reserve comprises 10% or more of the total land area of the county, a sum equal to 25% of the revenue derived from the State forest or park reserve located in that county; and

            (3)      Administrative costs calculated in accordance with § 1-103(b)(2) of this article.

      (h)      (1)      The Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.

            (2)      Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State.

      (i)      Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.