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[NMFS Payments for Returned Fish Tags]

B-242391 Sep 27, 1991
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Highlights

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requested an advance decision on its proposal to use appropriated funds to conduct drawings and cash payments to encourage fishermen to return fish tags used by the National Marine Fisheries Service for research purposes. GAO held that since the proposal: (1) is intended to further statutorily required research, it satisfies a requirement for an authorized purpose for the use of appropriated funds; and (2) contains certain elements of a lottery which may be prohibited by certain federal statutes, state laws, and regulations, NOAA should consult with the Department of Justice and other appropriate agencies before spending appropriated funds as proposed. Accordingly, the proposal satisfies a requirement for the use of appropriated funds and NOAA should consult with the appropriate agencies prior to implementing the proposal.

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