STORAGE NAME: h0843.ANR
DATE: 3/21/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 843
TITLE: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Trust
Funds
SPONSOR(S): Johnson, Overdorf
COMPANION BILL: SB 388 (Rodriguez)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Budget
Natural Resources & Disasters
Budget
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill authorizes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to invest and reinvest the funds and the
interest thereof of the Administrative Trust Fund. Additionally, the bill specifies that any balance of the trust fund
at the end of the fiscal year must remain in the trust fund and be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust
fund.
The bill authorizes FWC to use the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund to provide for research
and monitoring of feline diseases, and the acquisition of lands for panther habitat.
The bill specifies that the FWC Grants and Donations Trust Fund may be used for allowable grant and donor
agreement activities regardless of the type of revenue.
The bill authorizes FWC to use the Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund for law enforcement purposes. Finally, the bill
authorizes FWC to enter into cooperative agreements, voluntary agreements, or memoranda of understanding with
related agencies and private landowners to coordinate nongame programs.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate positive fiscal on state government revenues due to investing of funds in the
Administrative Trust Fund.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill authorizes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to invest and reinvest the funds and the
interest thereof of the Administrative Trust Fund. Additionally, the bill specifies that any balance of the trust fund
at the end of the fiscal year must remain in the trust fund and be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust
fund. (Section 1)
The bill authorizes FWC to use the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund to provide for research
and monitoring of feline diseases, and the acquisition of lands for panther habitat. (Section 2)
The bill specifies that the FWC Grants and Donations Trust Fund may be used for allowable grant and donor
agreement activities regardless of the type of revenue. (Section 3)
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
The bill authorizes FWC to use the Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund for law enforcement purposes. Finally, the bill
authorizes FWC to enter into cooperative agreements, voluntary agreements, or memoranda of understanding
with related agencies and private landowners to coordinate nongame programs. (Section 4)
The effective date is July 1, 2025. (Section 5)
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
The FWC operates using 13 trust funds
1 and currently invests proceeds and cash balances in these funds in
accordance with the financial provisions outlined in ch. 215, F.S.
Administrative Trust Fund
FWC has an Administrative Trust Fund that it uses to support administrative costs in the Executive Direction and
Administrative Support Services program associated with administrative functions that service all program areas
of FWC. The Administrative Trust Fund is primarily funded by a cost allocation plan assessed against specified
FWC operating trust funds based on an approved formula determining each fund’s fair share of administrative
costs. The Administrative Trust Fund does not have explicit authority to invest funds.
2
Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund
FWC uses the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund:
3
To manage and protect existing Florida panther populations by increasing food sources where food is a
limiting factor; determining conflicts between public use and panther survival; maintaining sufficient
genetic variability in existing populations; and undertaking management and enforcement activities
that protect panther habitat.
To educate the public concerning the value of the panther and the necessity for panther management.
To reestablish Florida panthers into areas of suitable habitat by assessing the necessity of a captive
breeding program for purposes of reintroduction of the panthers into the suitable habitat; selecting
potential sites for reintroduction and investigating associated human sociological aspects; and
assessing the potential for panther habitat acquisition.
For FWC administrative costs and for the promotion and marketing of the Florida panther license plate
as authorized by s. 320.08058, F.S.
Grants and Donations Trust Fund
The Grants and Donations Trust Fund is used as a depository for funds to be disbursed for allowable grant and
donor agreement activities funded by restricted contractual and grant-related revenue. Moneys credited to the
fund include grants and donations from private and public nonfederal sources, development of regional impact
wildlife mitigation contributions, interest earnings, and cash advances from other trust funds.
4
Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund
The Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund is credited with funds collected pursuant to s. 319.32(3), F.S. and 320.02(8), F.S.
Additional funds may be provided from legislative appropriations and by donations from interested individuals
and organizations. Proceeds from the trust fund must be used for the following purposes:
5
Documentation of population trends of nongame wildlife and assessment of wildlife habitat, in
coordination with the database of Florida natural areas inventory.
Establishment of effective conservation, management, and regulatory programs for nongame
wildlife of the state.
Public education programs.
1
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Agency Analysis of Session 2025 House Bill 843, p. 2 (Feb 11, 2025).
2
Section 379.201, F.S.
3
Section 379.205, F.S.
4
Section 379.206, F.S.
5
Section 379.209, F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Budget Subcommittee
Topp Byrd
Natural Resources & Disasters
Subcommittee
Budget Committee