BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 606
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 606 (Gatto)
As Amended June 20, 2011
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |60-0 |(April 14, |SENATE: |37-0 |(July 11, |
| | |2011) | | |2011) |
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Original Committee Reference: W., P. & W.
SUMMARY : Except as prohibited by the applicable easement, contract,
memorandum of understanding (MOU) or applicable law, requires the
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to allow compatible hunting,
fishing, and other recreational activities on lands subject to
wildlife conservation easements or contracts for fish and wildlife
habitat purposes.
The Senate amendments delete language requiring DFG to permit
wildlife-dependent recreational activities, including but not
limited to hunting and fishing, and instead require DFG to allow
compatible hunting, fishing and other recreational activities, on
lands subject to wildlife conservation easements or contracts for
fish and wildlife habitat preservation, restoration and enhancement.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to determine what
areas are most essential and suitable for wildlife production and
preservation, recreation, refuges, and fishing and hunting.
Requires WCB in determining what areas are suitable for fishing
and hunting, to take into consideration areas of the state where
public access and opportunity for fishing and hunting are most
needed. Requires WCB to determine what lands or waters should be
acquired by the state for maximum restoration of wildlife and
maximum recreational advantages to the people of the state.
2)Authorizes DFG to enter into contracts for fish and wildlife
habitat preservation, restoration, and enhancement with public and
private entities to assist in meeting DFG's duty to preserve,
protect and restore fish and wildlife.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required DFG, except as
specifically prohibited in the applicable easement, contract or MOU,
AB 606
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to permit wildlife-dependent recreational activities, including but
not limited to hunting and fishing, on land subject to a wildlife
conservation easement or a contract for fish and wildlife habitat
preservation, restoration and enhancement.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee,
pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : The Senate amendments are technical and clarifying. The
amendments change the word "permit" to "allow" to clarify this bill
would not require DFG to implement a permitting process. The
amendments also strike the phrase "wildlife-dependent recreational
activities, including, but not limited to hunting and fishing" and
replace that phrase with "compatible hunting, fishing, and other
recreational activities" which more closely tracks similar existing
language in the Fish and Game Code, and provides a measure of
discretion and flexibility to DFG about the activities it and the
donor should allow.
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096 FN: 0001423