Pursuant to the Constitution of the State of California, the Legislature has delegated powers to the Fish and Game Commission relating to the protection and propagation of fish and wildlife resources for the use and enjoyment of future generations. In accordance with these mandates, it is the policy of the Fish and Game Commission that:

The Department shall annually report to the Commission on the relative status of California's fish and wildlife resources with emphasis on those resources estimated to be at marginal or low levels. The Department shall identify management options, particularly for those resources that have declined to such a level that focused efforts are needed for recovery. In odd-numbered years, the Department shall report on the status of fish at the October meeting of the regulation-setting process of Section 206, Fish and Game Code. In even-numbered years, the Department shall report on the status of birds and mammals at the April meeting of the regulation-setting process prescribed by sections 207 and 208 of said Code. In satisfying this requirement, the Department may submit status reports that it prepares to satisfy other statutory requirements.

In conjunction with information provided by the Department, the Commission may solicit funds from private sources to provide for independent studies as needed, subject to approval by the Director of Finance pursuant to Government Code sections 11005 and 11005.1, and any funds received shall be designated for the benefit of the Status of the Resources Report Fund, pursuant to Government Code Section 16302. Such funds may also be used to help support the Department's resource monitoring and management programs or for peer review of scientific reports related to resource assessment.

Annually, based upon the best scientific information, the Commission shall certify the relative status of California's fish and wildlife resources. The Commission shall then prepare a report on the status of the State's resources for presentation to the Senate Resources & Wildlife Committee and the Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee.