If sufficient funds are not provided to the department each year, the fishery will not open. This is the dilemma divers face and House Bill 198 provides a creative and progressive vehicle to move towards a solution. The appropriation will be based on the mutually developed annual operating budget and plan. In addition, all other fisheries business taxes are collected and deposited into the general fund. House Bill 198 is a positive step forward by the private sector to support economic development and diversification without seeking a general fund appropriation.
Time is of the essence.
I would appreciate your support of this legislation for passage this session to keep the economic development for southeast moving forward.