§33-5-10. Certificates of registration and numbers generally - By whom issued; issuance; fees; disposition of funds.

(a) The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will issue annual certificates of registration directly and shall authorize all probate judges in the state or any other official in the state who is presently authorized to issue automobile license plates to issue annual certificates of registration and numbers in connection therewith. In conformity with this article and any rules and regulations which may be validly issued by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall assign to each issuing officer in the county a block of numbers and certificates therefor which upon issue the issuing officer shall be allowed a fee of two dollars ($2) for each certificate issued by him or her. In counties where the probate judge or issuing officer is on the fee system, the issuing fee shall be retained by the probate judge, and, in counties where the issuing officer or probate judge is on a salary basis, the fee shall be paid to the county treasury. The issuance fee provided for herein shall be in addition to the amount of the boat registration fee.

(b) All registration money, except the two dollar ($2) fee allowed as aforesaid, shall be remitted monthly to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources not later than 10 days after the first of each month. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall transmit all money received by it to the State Treasurer, there to be deposited in a fund to be known as the "State Water Safety Fund."

(c) All moneys received out of the sale of licenses under the provisions of this article may be used by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for all purposes reasonably necessary in the cost of administration of this article, including the printing of certificates of registration, postage and transportation charges, clerical, personnel, equipment purchases, salaries, and other expenses for each year; except, that no funds collected under the provisions of this article may be used to supplement or pay the salaries of any enforcement officers other than those hired specifically for the purposes of administering the provisions of this article. The Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall expend such moneys as may be appropriated to the Marine Police Division, in such manner as the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources may deem necessary and appropriate; provided, however, that such appropriations may be expended only for the purposes designated by the Legislature and in the amounts provided therefor in the general appropriation bill and shall be budgeted and allotted in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 41. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources utilize existing personnel and equipment of that department and of the sheriffs of this state to the maximum possible extent in enforcing and administering this article, to the end that there be no costly duplication of services.

(Acts 1959, No. 576, p. 1442, §6; Acts 1961, No. 878, p. 1377, §2; Acts 1969, No. 1059, p. 1979; Acts 1979, No. 79-700, p. 1244, §1; Acts 1984, No. 84-446, p. 1040, §6; Act 2007-420, p. 896, §1.)