BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1709
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1709 (Frazier)
As Amended April 21, 2014
Majority vote
WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE 14-0
APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Rendon, Bigelow, Allen, |Ayes:|Gatto, Bigelow, |
| |Bocanegra, Dahle, | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian |
| |Frazier, Beth Gaines, | |Calderon, Campos, |
| |Gatto, Gomez, Gonzalez, | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, |
| |Gray, Patterson, | |Holden, Jones, Linder, |
| |Rodriguez, Yamada | |Pan, Quirk, |
| | | |Ridley-Thomas, Wagner, |
| | | |Weber |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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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.
3)Includes a sunset clause providing that this bill shall remain
in effect only until January 1, 2020, and as of that date is
repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted
before January 1, 2020, deletes or extends that date.
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.
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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 : 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 California (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 Seventeen year olds currently
pay $45.93 per hunting license. This bill will reduce that
amount to $11.88.
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
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
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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.
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.
The sponsors and author assert that by encouraging 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
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.
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.
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.
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096 FN:
0003602
AB 1709
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