BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1784
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 25, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                AB 1784 (Monning) - As Introduced:  February 21, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                              Water, Parks and 
          Wildlife     Vote:                            12-0

          Urgency:     Yes                  State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill authorizes the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to 
          allow scientific research projects on mountain lions by 
          qualified individuals, educational institutions and 
          nongovernmental organizations following public notice, under 
          limited circumstances and according to a memorandum of 
          understanding (MOUs) between the researcher and DFG.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)One-time costs, in the low tens of thousands of dollars, to 
            DFG to develop regulations.  (Special fund.)

          2)Annual costs of a minor, likely absorbable amount, to DFG to 
            develop and issue MOUs, notify the public and monitor ongoing 
            research activities.  (Special fund.)

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale.   The author intends this bill to affirm DFG's 
            authority to authorize research that benefits mountain lions, 
            humans and their environments.

           2)Background.   The California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 
            makes it illegal to harm, transport, import or sell mountain 
            lions or their parts, with very limited exception.  Changes to 
            the act require a four-fifths vote of the Legislature.

            Until recently, DFG interpreted the act as authorizing it to 
            permit scientific research on mountain lions, under certain 
            circumstances.  More recently, however, DFG concluded the act 








                                                                  AB 1784
                                                                  Page  2

            does not provide the department with such authority.  As a 
            result, DFG no longer permits for mountain lion research, 
            jeopardizing research activity at the University of California 
            and possibly other institutions.

           3)Support.   This bill is supported by a number of conservation 
            organizations that work to protect mountain lions and their 
            habitats.

           4)There is no opposition formally registered to this bill.  

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081