A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the department of environment and natural resources to plan for the development of oyster hatcheries at each of the three North Carolina aquariums and to develop public education programs regarding those oyster hatcheries.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Division of North Carolina Aquariums of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall plan for the development of an oyster hatchery and public education program regarding the hatcheries at each of the three North Carolina aquariums.  The Division shall be the lead agency in planning the development of the hatcheries and public education programs but shall consult with all of the following in carrying out this project:  Division of Marine Fisheries of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Sea Grant College Program at The University of North Carolina, The University of North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute, Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and any other appropriate institutions of higher education.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for the 2005‑2006 fiscal year to be allocated to the Division of North Carolina Aquariums to implement this act.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.