(a) For each fiscal year, consistent with this article, the administrator shall submit, as a proposed appropriation in the Governor’s Budget, an amount up to two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) for the purpose of equipping, operating, and maintaining the network of oiled wildlife rescue and rehabilitation stations and proactive oiled wildlife search and collection rescue efforts established pursuant to Section 8670.37.5 and for the support of technology development and research related to oiled wildlife care.

(b) The administrator shall report to the Legislature, upon request, on the progress and effectiveness of the network of oiled wildlife rescue and rehabilitation stations established pursuant to Section 8670.37.5 and the adequacy of the Oil Spill Prevention and Administration Fund to meet the purposes for which the network was established.

(c) At the administrator’s request, any funds made available for purposes of this section may be directly appropriated to a suitable program for wildlife health and rehabilitation within a school of veterinary medicine within this state, if an agreement exists, consistent with this chapter, between the administrator and an appropriate representative of the program for carrying out that purpose. The administrator shall attempt to have an agreement in place at all times. The agreement shall ensure that the training of, and the care provided by, the program staff are at levels that are consistent with those standards generally accepted within the veterinary profession.

(d) Any funds made available for purposes of this section shall not be considered an offset to any other state funds appropriated to the program, the program’s associated school of veterinary medicine, or the program’s associated college or university. The funds shall not be used for any other purpose. If an offset does occur or the funds are used for an unintended purpose, the administrator may terminate expenditure of any funds appropriated for purposes of this section and the administrator may request a reappropriation to accomplish the intended purpose. The administrator shall annually review and approve the proposed uses of any funds made available for purposes of this section.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 35, Sec. 38. (SB 861) Effective June 20, 2014.)