California Assembly Passes Important Species Conservation Legislation

June 21, 2010 (Sacramento, CA) — Sen. Tom Harman, Chair of the California Legislative Outdoor Sporting Caucus, recently announced that Senate Bill 1058 has passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. SB 1058 seeks to ensure that hunting license tag and stamp funds benefit game species and their habitats. The bill is sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).
 
“I am extremely pleased that my colleagues in the Assembly policy committee unanimously passed this important piece of conservation legislation,” said Harman.  “I am hopeful it will make it all the way to the Governor for signature.”
 
Current law has allowed hunting tag funds to be used for non-game purposes. SB 1058 will protect these funds by requiring that, before any of the hunting tag monies can be expended, hunting-related organizations would have an opportunity to review proposed projects and provide comment to the Department of Fish and Game.
 
“SB 1058 will further two causes that I am passionate about: increased transparency in government spending and conservation of the environment,” Harman stated.
 
SB 1058, a reintroduction of Harman’s Senate Bill 589 last year, will now head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.  Senate Bill 1058 addresses concerns raised by the Administration last year when the Governor vetoed SB 589.