BILL ANALYSIS AB 821 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 821 (Nava) As Amended July 11, 2007 Majority vote ----------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |42-32|(May 14, 2007) |SENATE: |23-15|(September 4, | | | | | | |2007) | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Page 2 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 Page 3