BILL ANALYSIS AB 1995 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 23, 2010 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE Jared William Huffman, Chair AB 1995 (Gaines) - As Introduced: February 17, 2010 SUBJECT : Fishing and Hunting Licenses: Automated License Data System SUMMARY : Authorizes a person who purchases a fishing or hunting stamp through the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG's) Automated License Data System (ALDS), that is lost or destroyed, to purchase a replacement stamp for a base fee of $3. Specifically, this bill : 1)Authorizes unexpired hunting and fishing licenses purchased through DFG's ALDS system that are lost or destroyed to be replaced for a base fee of $9, to be adjusted for inflation in future years, not to exceed the amount of the original fee. 2)Authorizes a hunting or fishing stamp purchased through DFG's ALDS system that is lost or destroyed to be replaced for a base fee of $3, to be adjusted for inflation in future years, not to exceed the amount of the original fee. 3)Clarifies existing state law which allows a hunting or fishing license that is lost or destroyed to be replaced with payment of a fee. EXISTING LAW : 1)Prohibits a person from obtaining more than one license, permit, reservation or other entitlement of the same class for fishing or hunting in the same license year. 2)Authorizes an unexpired hunting or fishing license that is lost or destroyed to be replaced for a base fee of $5, which with adjustments for inflation, is currently at $8.75. FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown COMMENTS : Currently DFG authorizes persons who lose their hunting or fishing license to purchase a replacement license with payment of a fee, but any stamp that was affixed to the license must be repurchased at full price. Currently, DFG has AB 1995 Page 2 no way of tracking the purchase of stamps to verify the prior purchase. Once DFG's ALDS is fully implemented, it will allow DFG to capture customer information, including a record of what licenses and stamps were purchased. With the ability to track this information, the author notes that charging full price for replacement of a lost or destroyed stamp would be unfair. This bill authorizes replacement of lost or destroyed stamps with payment of a $3 fee. It would also continue to allow replacement of lost or destroyed licenses with payment of the current fee charged. DFG is in the process of completely reengineering their licensing processes and procedures with implementation of the ALDS system. Implementation is beginning in 2010 with the entire system scheduled to be on line by 2012. ALDS will automate DFG's antiquated paper licensing system and provide DFG the ability to capture customer information in a database via the Internet, or through licensed agents equipped with ALDS systems. In order to fully implement ALDS, DFG must update statutes to reflect the new business policies necessitated by this more efficient process. Technical committee amendments suggested : On page 2, line 8, after the (1) insert: Short-term fishing licenses and non-resident hunting licensesLicensesOn page 3, line 3, after the (1) insert: Short-term fishing licenses and non-resident hunting licensesLicensesREGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION : Support Department of Fish and Game (sponsor) California Association of Firearms Retailers California Sportsman's Lobby Outdoor Sportsmen's Coalition of California Safari Club International Opposition None on file AB 1995 Page 3 Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916) 319-2096