Bill Text: CA AB1612 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Department of Fish and Wildlife: Invasive Species Response Fund.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2020-02-03 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB1612 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB1612-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  March 28, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1612

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Introduced by Assembly Member Quirk

February 22, 2019

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An act to amend Section 1801 of add Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 2320) to Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to wildlife resources. invasive species, and making an appropriation therefor.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1612, as amended, Quirk. Wildlife resources: state policy. Department of Fish and Wildlife: Invasive Species Response Fund.

Existing law vests the Department of Fish and Wildlife with jurisdiction over the conservation, protection, and management of fish, wildlife, native plants, and habitats necessary for biologically sustainable populations of those species. Existing law provides that nothing prohibits the department from taking, for scientific, propagation, public health or safety, prevention or relief of suffering, or law enforcement purposes, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and the nests and eggs thereof, or any other form of plant or animal life.

This bill would establish the Invasive Species Response Fund in the State Treasury and would continuously appropriate money deposited in the fund to the department to respond to nonnative vertebrate species invasions in coordination with other relevant government agencies. The bill would require any money received by the department from the federal government for the purpose of controlling and eradicating nonnative vertebrate species to be deposited in the fund.

Existing law declares it to be the policy of the state to encourage the preservation, conservation, and maintenance of wildlife resources under the jurisdiction and influence of the state and specifies that the policy includes certain objectives.

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to this provision.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NOYES   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Chapter 3.6 (commencing with Section 2320) is added to Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code, to read:

CHAPTER  3.6. Invasive Species Response Fund

2320.

 There is hereby established in the State Treasury the Invasive Species Response Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, to the department to respond to nonnative vertebrate species invasions in coordination with other relevant government agencies.

2321.

 Any money received by the department from the federal government for the purpose of controlling and eradicating nonnative vertebrate species shall be deposited in the Invasive Species Response Fund.

SECTION 1.Section 1801 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to read:

1801.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to encourage the preservation, conservation, and maintenance of wildlife resources under the jurisdiction and influence of the state. This policy shall include all of the following objectives:

(a)To maintain sufficient populations of all species of wildlife and the habitat necessary to achieve the objectives stated in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d).

(b)To provide for the beneficial use and enjoyment of wildlife by all citizens of the state.

(c)To perpetuate all species of wildlife for their intrinsic and ecological values, as well as for their direct benefits to all persons.

(d)To provide for aesthetic, educational, and nonappropriative uses of the various wildlife species.

(e)To maintain diversified recreational uses of wildlife, including the sport of hunting, as proper uses of certain designated species of wildlife, subject to regulations consistent with the maintenance of healthy, viable wildlife resources, the public safety, and a quality outdoor experience.

(f)To provide for economic contributions to the citizens of the state, through the recognition that wildlife is a renewable resource of the land by which economic return can accrue to the citizens of the state, individually and collectively, through regulated management. Such management shall be consistent with the maintenance of healthy and thriving wildlife resources and the public ownership status of the wildlife resources.

(g)To alleviate economic losses or public health or safety problems caused by wildlife to the people of the state either individually or collectively. Such resolution shall be in a manner designed to bring the problem within tolerable limits consistent with economic and public health considerations and the objectives stated in subdivisions (a), (b) and (c).

(h)It is not intended that this policy shall provide any power to regulate natural resources or commercial or other activities connected therewith, except as specifically provided by the Legislature.