PrintCA Hunting and Fishing Bill On Way to Governor
Bill Prevents Checkerboard Regulations
On Monday, August 15, the California State Senate voted 27-7 to approve AB 815, a California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus bill that seeks to clarify that the California Fish and Game Commission and the Department of Fish and Game are solely responsible for the regulation of hunting and fishing laws, not local governments. The bill is on it's way to the Governor for his signature.
Introduced by Sportsmen's Caucus Member, Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, Assembly Bill 815 would block local governments from passing ordinances to stop or approve hunting and fishing. This bill would prevent potentially severe county/municipal restrictions, or outright bans, from being placed on hunters and anglers.
As reported by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, the bill is derived from several State Attorney General's Opinions which have determined that local governments cannot regulate the taking of fish and game. However, because there is currently no clear statutory language in either the Government Code or the Fish and Game Code, California cities and counties have increasingly tried to restrict and even ban hunting and fishing activities. These efforts have particularly inhibited sportsmen's use of certain public lands and waters.In addition to further strengthening the state's authority over hunting, fishing and scientific wildlife management, the bill would prevent sportsmen from confusing checkerboard fish and game laws that could change from one county to the next.
AB 815 will help protect hunting and fishing opportunities from local government interference and ensure that California follows a statewide, science-based approach to its hunting and fishing regulations to best conserve our fish and game populations.
