COMPTROLLER POWERS AND DUTIES.

(a) To promote compliance with federal law protecting endangered species and candidate species in a manner consistent with this state's economic development and fiscal stability, the comptroller may:

(1) develop or coordinate the development of a habitat conservation plan or candidate conservation plan;

(2) apply for and hold a federal permit issued in connection with a habitat conservation plan or candidate conservation plan developed by the comptroller or the development of which is coordinated by the comptroller;

(3) enter into an agreement for the implementation of a candidate conservation plan with the United States Department of the Interior or assist another entity in entering into such an agreement;

(4) establish the habitat protection fund, to be held by the comptroller outside the treasury, to be used to support the development or coordination of the development of a habitat conservation plan or a candidate conservation plan, or to pay the costs of monitoring or administering the implementation of such a plan;

(5) impose or provide for the imposition of a mitigation fee in connection with a habitat conservation plan or such fees as are necessary or advisable for a candidate conservation plan developed by the comptroller or the development of which is coordinated by the comptroller; and

(6) implement, monitor, or support the implementation of a habitat conservation plan or candidate conservation plan developed by the comptroller or the development of which is coordinated by the comptroller.

(b) The comptroller may solicit and accept appropriations, fees under this subchapter, gifts, or grants from any public or private source, including the federal government, this state, a public agency, or a political subdivision of this state, for deposit to the credit of the fund established under this section.

(c) The legislature finds that expenditures described by Subsection (a)(4) serve public purposes, including economic development in this state.

(d) The comptroller may establish a nonprofit corporation or contract with a third party to perform one or more of the comptroller's functions under this section.