Bill Text


PDF |Add To My Favorites |Track Bill | print page

SB-470 Fishing and hunting: annual combined hunting and fishing licenses.(2021-2022)

SHARE THIS:share this bill in Facebookshare this bill in Twitter
Date Published: 02/17/2021 09:00 PM
SB470:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 470

Introduced by Senator Jones
(Coauthors: Senators Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, and Wilk)

February 17, 2021

An act to add Section 714 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to fishing and hunting.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 470, as introduced, Jones. Fishing and hunting: annual combined hunting and fishing licenses.
Existing law requires every person 16 years of age or older who takes any fish, reptile, or amphibian for any purpose other than profit to first obtain a sport fishing license for that purpose, with specified exceptions. Existing law requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue an annual sport fishing license to a resident or nonresident upon payment of the applicable fee. Under existing law, the annual sport fishing license is valid for the period of a calendar year, or, if issued after the beginning of the year, for the remainder of the year.
Under existing law, a hunting license grants the privilege to take birds and mammals. Existing law requires the department to issue an annual hunting license to a resident or nonresident upon payment of the applicable fee. Under existing law, the annual hunting license is valid for a term of one year from July 1 to June 30, inclusive, or, if issued after the beginning of the term, for the remainder of the term.
This bill would create the annual combined hunting and fishing license that would grant the holder of the license the same privileges as the annual hunting and fishing licenses and that would be valid for a term of one year from the date specified on the license. The bill would limit the issuance of these licenses to residents and would require the department to issue these licenses beginning January 1, 2023, upon payment of a fee of $100, as adjusted annually for inflation. The bill would require the Fish and Game Commission to adjust the amount of the fee to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department and the commission relating to these licenses. The bill would require the department to provide an applicant for one of these licenses the option to automatically renew the license and would provide a 5% discount if the applicant selects this option.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Section 714 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read:

714.
 (a) In addition to Section 3031, 3031.2, 7149.05, or 7149.2, the department shall, beginning January 1, 2023, issue annual combined hunting and fishing licenses pursuant to this section.
(b) (1) An annual combined hunting and fishing license authorizes the taking of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians anywhere in this state in accordance with law for purposes other than profit.
(2) A valid annual combined hunting and fishing license grants the person holding the license the same privileges that are granted under a valid sport fishing license and a valid hunting license. This section does not exempt an applicant for a license from meeting other qualifications or requirements otherwise established by law for the privilege of sport hunting or sport fishing.
(3) An annual combined hunting and fishing license does not include any special tags, stamps, or other entitlements.
(4) An annual combined hunting and fishing license is not transferable.
(c) An annual combined hunting and fishing license is valid for a term of one year beginning on the date specified on the license, unless revoked for a violation of this code or regulations adopted pursuant to this code.
(d) (1) The department shall issue an annual combined hunting and fishing license to a resident of this state, upon the payment of a base fee of one hundred dollars ($100).
(2) The base fee specified in this section is applicable commencing January 1, 2023, and shall be adjusted annually thereafter pursuant to Section 713.
(e) The commission shall adjust the amount of the fee specified in subdivision (d), as necessary, to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department and the commission relating to those licenses.
(f) The department shall provide an applicant for an annual combined hunting and fishing license the option to sign up for automatic renewal of the license. If an applicant selects this option, the fee for the license in that year and in any subsequent year the licensed is automatically renewed shall be 5 percent less than the cost of an annual combined hunting and fishing license in the applicable year.
(g) The department and the commission shall revise applicable sport fishing regulations, as needed, to conform to the valid time period for the annual combined hunting and fishing license.