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AB-883 Natural Resources Agency: fish and wildlife resources.(2009-2010)

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Amended  IN  Assembly  April 13, 2009

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2009–2010 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 883

Introduced  by  Assembly Member Huffman

February 26, 2009

An act relating to fish and wildlife. An act to add Section 12805.3 to the Government Code, relating to fish and wildlife resources.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 883, as amended, Huffman. Department of Fish and Game. Natural Resources Agency: fish and wildlife resources.
Existing law establishes in state government the Natural Resources Agency, consisting of various departments, including the Department of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Wildlife Conservation Board.
This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to convene an advisory stakeholder committee to study and make recommendations to the Legislature and Governor with regard to actions to improve the state’s management of fish and wildlife resources. The committee would be required to seek input from elected officials, governmental agencies, including the Department of Fish and Game, certain private entities, and other interested parties. The bill would require the committee to review, among other matters, options for securing stable, dedicated funding to support the state’s changing fish and wildlife conservation needs.

Existing law establishes the Department of Fish and Game within the Natural Resources Agency, and generally charges the department with the administration and enforcement of the Fish and Game Code.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and capacity of the department to fulfill its public trust mission, take steps necessary to fulfill specified policy goals, and identify changes in organizational structure or statutory authorities that would enable the department and the state to more efficiently and effectively provide for the protection, conservation, and management of the state’s fish and wildlife.

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) California is known worldwide for its rich ecological diversity and for the many fish and wildlife species that inhabit its lands and waters. These species and their habitats provide important ecological services and contribute significantly to the state and local economies.
(b) California’s fish and wildlife resources are held in trust for the people of the state by and through the Department of Fish and Game. Numerous past studies have identified significant shortfalls in the department’s ability to carry out its public trust mandate to protect and manage fish and wildlife resources, both for their intrinsic values and for the benefit of the public. While progress has been made in some areas, significant challenges remain.
(c) Fish and wildlife populations are declining and many species are threatened with extinction. The state’s biological diversity faces multiple and growing threats, including, but not limited to, habitat loss, lack of adequate water flows, pollution, invasive species, and the anticipated effects of climate change.

SEC. 2.

 It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would do all of the following:
(a) Enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and capacity of the Department of Fish and Game to fulfill its public trust mission to protect, conserve, and manage California’s fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of the people of the state.
(b) Take steps necessary to fulfill the policy goals expressed by the Legislature in Sections 710, 710.5, 710.7, and 711 of the Fish and Game Code, including identifying and securing adequate resources to enable the Department of Fish and Game to fulfill its mission.
(c) Identify changes in organizational structure or statutory authorities that would enable the Department of Fish and Game and the state to more efficiently and effectively provide for the protection, conservation, and management of the state’s fish and wildlife.

SEC. 2.

 Section 12805.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:

12805.3.
 The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall convene an advisory stakeholder committee to study and make recommendations to the Legislature and Governor with regard to actions to improve the state’s management of fish and wildlife resources. The committee shall seek input from elected officials, governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Fish and Game and other state entities with responsibilities related to the conservation of fish and wildlife or their habitats, educational institutions, scientific organizations, local communities, and other interested parties. The committee, to the extent feasible, shall review relevant studies and reports, other state models for fish and wildlife management, and different options for securing stable, dedicated funding to support the state’s changing fish and wildlife conservation needs.