BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1709 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 30, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 1709 (Frazier) - As Amended: April 21, 2014 Policy Committee: Water, Parks and Wildlife Vote: 14-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill raises the eligible age to purchase a lower-cost junior hunting license from persons under 16 years of age to persons under 18 years of age. This bill sunsets on January 1, 2020. FISCAL EFFECT Decrease in annual Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) revenue in the range of $400,000 (special fund), potentially offset to some extent by increases in junior hunting license sales. This figure includes: a)An estimated $270,000 reduction in hunting license revenue (Fish and Game Preservation Fund.) b)An estimated $ 37,500 reduction in CA Duck Validation stamps (CA Duck Stamp Account.) c)An estimated $46,000 reduction in CA Upland Game Bird Validations (CA Upland Game Bird Account.) d)An estimated $46,000 reduction in the Wildlife Area Hunting Pass (Fish and Game Preservation Fund.) Under existing law, any person hunting under the authority of a junior hunting license is exempt from purchasing CA Duck Validation stamps, CA Upland Game Bird Validations and Wildlife Area Hunting Passes. Sixteen and 17-year-olds currently pay $45.93 per hunting license. This bill will reduce that amount to $11.88. AB 1709 Page 2 COMMENTS 1)Rationale. DFW data indicates junior hunting license purchases have been declining since 2011. According to the author, this bill will help keep costs low for families and individuals who wish to hunt as a recreational activity. Hunting opportunities may result in an increased appreciation for wildlife conservation and hunting traditions and the likelihood of continuing hunting into adulthood. 2)Background. Under current law, the cost of hunting licenses issued to a resident of this state who is 16 years of age or older is set at the base fee of $31.25 The costs of hunting licenses issued to a resident or nonresident who is under 16 years of age is set at the base fee of $8.25. Base fees were set in 2004 and are annually adjusted. Current fee levels are $45.93 and $11.88 respectively. 3)Support. The California Waterfowl Association is sponsoring this measure to remove cost barriers that prevent greater participation in hunting in the state. This bill is supported by various hunting, sportsman, and gun organizations. 4)Opposition. This bill is opposed by the Public Interest Coalition, who objects to lowering fees on hunting licenses they contend are already too low. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081