BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1709
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Date of Hearing: April 8, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Anthony Rendon, Chair
AB 1709 (Frazier) - As Introduced: February 13, 2014
SUBJECT : Hunting Licenses
SUMMARY : Expands the age eligibility for purchase of a
lower-cost junior hunting license to persons under 18 years of
age, instead of under 16 years of age. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires that a hunting license be issued to a resident of
this state who is 18 years of age or older upon payment of a
base fee of $31.25, and to a resident or nonresident who is
under 18 years of age for a base fee of $8.25.
2)Requires that a hunting license be issued to a nonresident who
is 18 years of age or older upon payment of a base fee of
$108.50.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires that a hunting license be issued to a resident of
this state who is 16 years of age or older upon payment of a
base fee of $31.25, and to a resident or nonresident who is
under 16 years of age for a base fee of $8.25.
2)Requires that a hunting license be issued to a nonresident who
is 16 years of age or older upon payment of a base fee of
$108.50.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown, but potentially significant reduction
in annual revenue to the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).
COMMENTS : This bill revises the eligibility age to purchase a
junior hunting license to include 16 and 17 year olds, who are
currently required to purchase a higher cost adult hunting
license. The author of this bill states that extending junior
hunting license eligibility to persons under 18 years of age
will allow young people ages 16 and 17 to take advantage of
special hunting opportunities offered to junior hunters through
hunting outreach programs, and will make hunting activities
available to these young people at a reduced price. DFW data
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shows that junior hunting license purchases have been declining
since 2011. This bill seeks to increase the number of junior
hunting licenses sold. According to background information
provided by the author, similar legislation enacted in Colorado
was successful in increasing the number of junior hunting
licenses sold in that state. Colorado State's analysis of their
bill, however, projected that license revenues would decrease,
because the projected increase in the number of junior licenses
sold would not be enough to offset the loss of revenues from the
sale of adult licenses. Whether that revenue reduction was
actually experienced in Colorado or not is unknown at the time
of this writing.
The author notes that this bill will help keep costs low for
families and individuals who wish to continue hunting as a
recreational activity, and will offer these young people special
hunting opportunities that promote knowledge of conservation and
hunting safety, while also helping to develop and sustain
outreach programs. The author and sponsors also note that this
bill aligns hunting license age requirements with other
California laws that consider persons age 18 years and older as
adults.
Potential Revenue Loss Considerations :
While this bill will be further analyzed by the Assembly
Appropriations Committee, it should be noted that DFW indicates
that approximately 8,000 hunting licenses are issued per year to
16 and 17 year olds, who currently pay the higher adult license
fee of $31.25 ($45.93 with adjustments), but who would be
eligible under this bill to purchase a lower-cost junior hunting
license for an annual base fee of $8.25 ($11.88 with
adjustments). Junior license holders are also exempt from the
requirement to purchase a duck validation or upland game bird
validation under existing law. This will result in additional
revenue loss to DFW since currently, according to DFW,
approximately 25% of adult license holders purchase a duck
validation, and 67% purchase an upland game bird validation.
The sponsors and author assert that by encouraging other young
people ages 16 and 17 who do not currently purchase a hunting
license to purchase one at the lower junior license fee level,
this bill could in the long run increase license revenue to DFW,
especially if these new hunters continue to purchase hunting
licenses at the adult price after they turn 18. However, in
order to make up for the loss of license revenue currently
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received by DFW, at least initially, over three times as many 16
and 17 year olds would need to purchase a hunting license than
currently do to make up the difference.
Support Arguments : Supporters assert this bill will encourage
more young people to purchase junior hunting licenses, giving
them an opportunity to participate in educational hunting
programs designed for youth that promote an appreciation for
wildlife conservation and hunting traditions. They note that
both cost and access to lands for hunting have been barriers to
greater participation in hunting which this bill will help to
address.
Opposition Arguments : Opponents object to the lowering of fees
for hunting licenses which are issued for the privilege of
taking wildlife which are valuable natural resources of
California, and feel that hunting license fees are already too
low.
Suggested Amendments : To address the impacts of potential
revenue loss to DFW, if the committee chooses to pass this bill,
the committee may wish to consider an amendment to add a three
to four year sunset clause. This would provide an opportunity
to see if the anticipated revenue loss to DFW is made up with
increased hunting license sales over time, as new junior license
holders move into adult hood, or not.
Alternatively, this bill could be amended to retain the existing
requirement for payment of the full hunting license fee, but
make young hunters under the age of 18 eligible to participate
in mentored junior hunt programs, and perhaps receive some of
the other benefits afforded to junior license holders.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Waterfowl Association (sponsor)
California Rifle and Pistol Association, Inc.
National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc.
Support - continued
Outdoor Sportsmen's Coalition of California
Safari Club International
The California Sportsman's Lobby
Opposition
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Public Interest Coalition
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096