BILL ANALYSIS
AB 821
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 821 (Nava)
As Amended July 11, 2007
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |42-32|(May 14, 2007) |SENATE: |23-15|(September 4, |
| | | | | |2007) |
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Original Committee Reference: W., P. & W.
SUMMARY : Enacts the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act
requiring the use of non-lead centerfire rifle and pistol
ammunition when taking big game or coyotes within specified
areas.
The Senate amendments make clarifying changes, to:
1)Clarify that the requirement to use nonlead ammunition when
taking big game applies when the game is being taken with a
rifle or pistol.
2)Clarify the specific areas which are excluded from the
requirement to use non-lead ammunition.
3)Extend the date by which the Fish and Game Commission (FGC) is
required to establish a process for certification of nonlead
ammunition from January 1, 2008 to July 1, 2008.
4)Provide that it shall be the responsibility of the Department
of Finance to determine if sufficient funding is available to
implement the coupon program for free or reduced charge
nonlead ammunition authorized by this bill.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires FGC to establish lists of endangered and threatened
species. Prohibits the taking of any species FGC has
determined to be an endangered or threatened species with
limited exceptions.
2)Designates the California condor as a fully protected species
under California state law. The condor is also listed as
AB 821
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endangered under both federal and state law.
3)Prohibits, by United States Fish and Wildlife Service
regulation, the use of lead ammunition to hunt waterfowl.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required the use of nonlead
ammunition when taking big game in certain hunting zones,
excluding specified areas in certain counties.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, minor primarily absorbable costs to the Department of
Fish and Game (DFG) to certify ammunition, complete regulations,
respond to public comments, file a report, and provide
notifications to hunters. Potential one-time costs for
equipment related to enforcement, potentially in the range of
$50,000 to $100,000.
COMMENTS : This bill seeks to reduce threats to the survival of
California condors by requiring the use of nonlead ammunition
when taking big game in the California condor range. The
California condor, North America's largest terrestrial bird, is
designated as a fully protected species under state law, and has
been the subject of a well-known and costly captive breeding
program designed to save the species from extinction. Condors
are scavengers and feed primarily on dead carrion, which has
been the source of ingested lead ammunition fragments. Studies
have identified lead poisoning as one of the most significant
threats to condor survival. The objective of this bill, by
prohibiting the use of lead ammunition in the condor range, is
to increase the survival rates of condors in the wild.
The Senate amendments to the provisions defining which areas of
the state are subject to the nonlead ammunition requirement are
clarifying and consistent with the Assembly version. The Senate
amendment extending the deadline for FGC to establish a
certification process allows time for adoption of regulations.
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
FN: 0002124
AB 821
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