(a)
Whenever the department receives funds from the Treasurer under Article 7 (commencing with Section 18520) of Chapter 17 of Part 10 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code for the support of this article, the funds shall be deposited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and credited to the Endangered and Rare Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Species Conservation and Enhancement Account. These funds are for the support of programs for endangered and rare animals and native plant species as determined by the commission, related conservation and enhancement programs, and programs for those species which may be candidates for determination as endangered or rare under the criteria developed by the commission.
(b)
The administrative overhead assessment on that portion of funds deposited in the Endangered and Rare Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Species Conservation and Enhancement Account expended through contracts shall not exceed 15 percent.