(1) Before June 1 of each year, the department shall determine the total number of senior hunting and fishing licenses issued and the total fees collected the preceding license year. The department shall determine the total fees that would have been collected if those senior citizens had been required to purchase full-price resident hunting and fishing licenses during the preceding license year. From this total, the department shall subtract the fees collected from the sale of senior hunting and fishing licenses during the preceding license year. The difference is the amount that would otherwise be collected.

  (2) The legislature shall annually appropriate from the general fund a sum equal to the fees that would otherwise be collected as determined pursuant to subsection (1). The sum appropriated shall be credited to the game and fish protection account.