(a) These regulations establish a nonlead ammunition coupon program using non-state funds to provide eligible hunters with nonlead ammunition at no or reduced charge. The program will be administered by an agent of the department and awarding of non-state funds will be administered as a grant. The department's agent will be selected through a public solicitation process, and, upon selection of an agent, the department will advertise a website address where eligible hunters may apply.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(c) Any eligible hunter may apply to the department's agent to be entered in the nonlead ammunition coupon program drawing. The drawing will be administered through a nonlead ammunition coupon program website that is operated by the department's agent as established under a grant agreement.

(d) On at least a monthly basis from July 1 through December 31, eligible hunters who have applied will be randomly selected to receive a coupon redeemable for a box of nonlead ammunition at reduced or no charge. The maximum number of eligible hunters drawn on a monthly basis will be determined based on the total funds available such that the number drawn each month, over the course of the six-month drawing period, will expend the total available funds in the year allocated. An average of no more than $30 per box of nonlead ammunition will be used in determining the maximum number of eligible hunters drawn each month.

(e) To be considered, eligible hunters shall apply, at no charge, through a designated website developed and maintained by the department's agent. Eligible hunters may apply as soon as the website is available, and must apply no later than December 1 in the applicable license year. The applicant must provide the following information, which the department will use to verify eligibility for the drawing with the agent:

(f) The number of applicants to be selected during each drawing shall be determined by the department's agent and will be published on the website after the program is established and available funding is known. An eligible hunter with an appropriate permit tag may not apply more than once, nor be awarded more than once, during a license year. Applications will be considered in each of the subsequent drawings after receipt until they are either drawn, or the drawing period ends.

(g) The list of available ammunition will be provided on the agent's website and will be dependent on market availability. Coupons for nonlead ammunition will not be available in all calibers or in all shotgun shell gauges or loads. For purposes of this section, a box of nonlead ammunition is 20 centerfire cartridges or 25 shotgun shells.

(h) The program may be offered and implemented for license year 2017-18, and for subsequent license years, provided funding is available as determined by the department. The program will be implemented only if the department is successful at awarding a grant using non-state funding.