BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 789 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 789 (Williams) As Amended June 18, 2013 Majority vote ----------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(April 25, |SENATE: |33-0 |(July 8, 2013) | | | |2013) | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: W., P. & W. SUMMARY : Modifies trapping laws to prohibit the use of body-crushing traps, also known as conibear-type traps, that are larger than six inches by six inches except in water or wetland areas; requires the posting of signs warning to keep out of publicly-accessible areas where traps are set; and, prohibits the killing of trapped mammals by intentional drowning unless from a lawfully set submerged trap, injection with chemicals other than for euthanasia, or chest crushing. The Senate amendments delete a general definition of "managed wetland" and, instead, incorporate a California Code of Regulations wetland definition restricting the use of conibear-type traps greater than eight inches by eight inches to submerged areas or wetland areas, as defined. The Senate amendments also make other minor technical changes. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis, one-time minor, absorbable cost to the Department of Fish and Wildlife to update trap testing materials and trapping licenses. According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs. COMMENTS : The wetland definition in this bill, as passed in the Assembly, was meant to restrict the locations where body-crushing traps that were larger than six inches by six inches could be set. The purpose was to avoid the killing of non-target animals like dogs, while still allowing larger traps that could catch mammals like beaver, both underwater and in adjacent wetland areas. The Senate deleted the general definition of managed wetlands as it could have affected projects and programs unrelated to trapping. Instead, this bill now references a California Code of Regulations subsection restricting the placement of conibear-type traps greater than AB 789 Page 2 eight inches by eight inches to submerged areas or wetland areas, as described. Analysis Prepared by : Tina Cannon Leahy / W., P. & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0001324