The emergency response fund is established consisting of monies appropriated by the legislature for purposes of this article and federal, private and other monies available for that purpose. The department shall manage the fund and expend monies in the fund in performing the functions required or authorized by this article. All interest earned from investing monies in the fund shall be credited to the fund. Monies in the fund are subject to legislative appropriation and are exempt from section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.