The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 456, aims to establish a grant program for nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organizations operating within the state. The bill empowers the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to create this program, which will provide grants to registered wildlife rehabilitation facilities that meet specific criteria set by the commissioner. The commissioner is also authorized to accept funds or donations for the grant program and to establish a dedicated account within the General Fund to manage these resources, ensuring that any unspent funds will carry over into subsequent fiscal years.

Additionally, the bill outlines the registration requirements for wildlife rehabilitation organizations, mandating that they submit annual information to the commissioner, including details about their operations, financial structure, and staff qualifications. The commissioner may also impose an annual registration fee and establish criteria for grant issuance, including priority guidelines. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and introduces new legal language to current law while deleting outdated provisions related to the bill's formatting.