Florida 2025 2025 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H0843 Analysis / Analysis

Filed 04/05/2025

                    STORAGE NAME: h0843d.BUC 
DATE: 4/5/2025 
 	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 #: CS/HB 843 
TITLE: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Trust 
Funds 
SPONSOR(S): Johnson, Overdorf 
COMPANION BILL: None 
LINKED BILLS: None 
RELATED BILLS: None 
Committee References 
 Agriculture & Natural Resources 
Budget 
14 Y, 0 N, As CS 

Natural Resources & Disasters 
17 Y, 0 N 
Budget 
 
 
SUMMARY 
 
Effect of the Bill: 
The bill specifies that the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (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: 
None. 
 
  
JUMP TO SUMMARY 	ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY 
 
ANALYSIS 
EFFECT OF THE BILL: 
The bill specifies that the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Grants and Donations Trust Fund may 
be used for allowable grant and donor agreement activities regardless of the type of revenue. (Section 1) 
 
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 2) 
 
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2025. (Section 3) 
 
RELEVANT INFORMATION 
SUBJECT OVERVIEW: 
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.
1  
 
                                                            
1
 Section 379.206, F.S.  JUMP TO SUMMARY 	ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY 
 	2 
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:
2 
 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. 
 
BILL HISTORY 
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE 
STAFF 
DIRECTOR/ 
POLICY CHIEF 
ANALYSIS 
PREPARED BY 
Agriculture & Natural Resources 
Budget Subcommittee 
14 Y, 0 N, As CS 3/25/2025 Topp Byrd 
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE 
COMMITTEE: 
The amendment removed section 1 and 2 relating to the Administrative Trust 
Fund and the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund. 
Natural Resources & Disasters 
Subcommittee 
17 Y, 0 N 4/1/2025 Moore Gawin 
Budget Committee   Pridgeon Byrd 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                            
2
 Section 379.209, F.S.