Gov. Code, § 998

The Legislature finds and declares that in order to alleviate the economic and social disruptions arising out of the Lake Davis Northern Pike Eradication Project, it is necessary and appropriate to create a special account within the Special Deposit Fund for payment of economic and infrastructure assistance to the City of Portola and the County of Plumas, and for all other claims arising out of that project. The Legislature hereby appropriates to the office of the Attorney General in the Department of Justice the sum of nine million one hundred seventy-six thousand dollars ($9,176,000) from the General Fund to the special account within the Special Deposit Fund, to be known as the Lake Davis Northern Pike Eradication Project Relief Account, to pay these claims as apportioned in Section 998.1.

It is the purpose of this part to compensate the above claimants without regard to legal liability, fault, or responsibility, and without the necessity of litigation against the State of California, or its agencies, officers, or employees. It is the further intent of the Legislature that all valid claims shall be negotiated for settlement purposes fairly and promptly. Nothing in this part shall be construed as an admission of legal liability, responsibility, or fault on the part of the State of California, or any of its agencies, officers, or employees.