Wildlife: Big Game Management Account: uses.

Existing law establishes the Big Game Management Account within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. Existing law requires revenue from the sale of tags for antelope, elk, deer, wild pig, bear, and sheep to be deposited into the account, except as provided. Existing law requires funds deposited into the account to be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, solely for specified purposes and pursuant to specified limitations. Existing law authorizes the department to make grants to, reimburse, or enter into contracts or other agreements with nonprofit organizations for the use of the funds from the account to carry out those purposes, including related habitat conservation projects. This bill instead would authorize the department to make grants to, reimburse, or enter into contracts or other agreements with public and private entities, including nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Indian tribes for the use of the funds from the account to carry out those purposes. The bill would require the department, in acting pursuant to that authorization, to consider the state's biodiversity goals.