The proposed bill establishes a grant program administered by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) aimed at supporting nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organizations in the state. Effective July 1, 2026, the program will provide grants to organizations that register with DEEP and meet specific registration requirements set by the commissioner. These requirements include submitting annual information about the organization, such as the owner or operator's contact details, facility locations, species rehabilitated, financial structure, and the qualifications of staff and volunteers, including veterinarians. The commissioner may also impose an annual registration fee and has the authority to create criteria for grant issuance, including priority criteria, and to adopt necessary regulations.

To fund this initiative, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Additionally, the DEEP commissioner is permitted to accept donations and other funds to support the grant program, which will be housed in a nonlapsing account to ensure availability beyond fiscal year limits. The bill outlines a projected cost of $615,305 in FY 27 for establishing the program, which includes the salary and benefits for an Environmental Analyst needed to implement the program's criteria and regulations.