BILL NUMBER: AB 883	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 13, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Huffman

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2009

    An act relating to fish and wildlife.   An
act to add Section 12805.3 to the Government Code, relating to fish
and wildlife resources. 


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 883, as amended, Huffman.  Department of Fish and Game.
  Natural Resources Agency: fish and wildlife
resources.  
   Existing law establishes in state government the Natural Resources
Agency, consisting of various departments, including the Department
of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Wildlife
Conservation Board.  
   This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources
Agency to convene an advisory stakeholder committee to study and make
recommendations to the Legislature and Governor with regard to
actions to improve the state's management of fish and wildlife
resources. The committee would be required to seek input from elected
officials, governmental agencies, including the Department of Fish
and Game, certain private entities, and other interested parties. The
bill would require the committee to review, among other matters,
options for securing stable, dedicated funding to support the state's
changing fish and wildlife conservation needs.  
   Existing law establishes the Department of Fish and Game within
the Natural Resources Agency, and generally charges the department
with the administration and enforcement of the Fish and Game Code.
 
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and
capacity of the department to fulfill its public trust mission, take
steps necessary to fulfill specified policy goals, and identify
changes in organizational structure or statutory authorities that
would enable the department and the state to more efficiently and
effectively provide for the protection, conservation, and management
of the state's fish and wildlife. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) California is known worldwide for its rich ecological
diversity and for the many fish and wildlife species that inhabit its
lands and waters. These species and their habitats provide important
ecological services and contribute significantly to the state and
local economies.
   (b) California's fish and wildlife resources are held in trust for
the people of the state by and through the Department of Fish and
Game. Numerous past studies have identified significant shortfalls in
the department's ability to carry out its public trust mandate to
protect and manage fish and wildlife resources, both for their
intrinsic values and for the benefit of the public. While progress
has been made in some areas, significant challenges remain.
   (c) Fish and wildlife populations are declining and many species
are threatened with extinction. The state's biological diversity
faces multiple and growing threats, including, but not limited to,
habitat loss, lack of adequate water flows, pollution, invasive
species, and the anticipated effects of climate change.
  SEC. 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation
that would do all of the following:
   (a) Enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and capacity of the
Department of Fish and Game to fulfill its public trust mission to
protect, conserve, and manage California's fish and wildlife
resources for the benefit of the people of the state.
   (b) Take steps necessary to fulfill the policy goals expressed by
the Legislature in Sections 710, 710.5, 710.7, and 711 of the Fish
and Game Code, including identifying and securing adequate resources
to enable the Department of Fish and Game to fulfill its mission.
   (c) Identify changes in organizational structure or statutory
authorities that would enable the Department of Fish and Game and the
state to more efficiently and effectively provide for the
protection, conservation, and management of the state's fish and
wildlife.
   SEC. 2.    Section 12805.3 is added to the  
Government Code   , to read:  
   12805.3.  The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall
convene an advisory stakeholder committee to study and make
recommendations to the Legislature and Governor with regard to
actions to improve the state's management of fish and wildlife
resources. The committee shall seek input from elected officials,
governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department
of Fish and Game and other state entities with responsibilities
related to the conservation of fish and wildlife or their habitats,
educational institutions, scientific organizations, local
communities, and other interested parties. The committee, to the
extent feasible, shall review relevant studies and reports, other
state models for fish and wildlife management, and different options
for securing stable, dedicated funding to support the state's
changing fish and wildlife conservation needs.