Steve Choi

The California Constitution establishes the Fish and Game Commission and provides for the delegation to the commission of powers relating to the protection and propagation of fish and game. Existing law places the Fish and Game Commission in the Natural Resources Agency.

This bill would require the commission to, on or before January 1, 2028, establish a program to increase opportunities to fish, and to hunt big game, wild pigs, upland game birds, and migratory game birds, for resident youth with life-threatening illnesses. The bill would require the commission, in developing the program, to consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, certain interested nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties. The bill would require the commission, in establishing and implementing the program, to provide reasonable accommodations for participants in accordance with federal and state disability laws, as prescribed. The bill would authorize the commission to adopt additional reasonable accommodations consistent with safe, ethical, and science-based wildlife management practices. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2032, prepare and submit a report to the relevant legislative policy and budget committees in both houses of the Legislature, as provided. The bill would make the implementation of its provisions contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2033.