BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  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