R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-18.1-3: Nongame wildlife — Uses of the fund.

(a) Sums collected as a result of the taxpayer checkoff as provided for in § 44-30-2.2 shall be deposited as general revenues. The director is authorized to accept any grant, devise, bequest, donation, gift, or assignment of money, bonds, or other valuable securities for deposit as general revenues.

(b) The moneys appropriated under this chapter are to be used solely to research, manage, protect, inventory, and establish a body of ecological information pertaining to nongame wildlife species. When appropriate, these uses may include habitat acquisition; educational programs; personnel needs; enforcement of laws pertaining specifically to nongame wildlife; planning, writing, and implementation of management programs; utilization of funds from other sources; and cooperation with other public and private programs with similar or parallel objectives. The moneys shall not be used for animal control programs, nor for any program or activity related directly to game or domestic animals.

(c) Moneys deposited may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.