CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 772

Introduced by Senator Dahle

February 17, 2023

An act to amend Section 3031 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to hunting.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 772, as introduced, Dahle. Junior hunting licenses: age of eligibility.
Under existing law, a hunting license grants the privilege to take birds and mammals. Existing law requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue an annual hunting license upon payment of a specified fee that varies in amount depending on whether the applicant is a resident of the state. Under existing law, an annual hunting license is valid for a term of one year beginning on July 1 or for the remainder of the term if issued after July 1. Existing law requires the department to issue a reduced-fee annual hunting license, known as a junior hunting license, upon payment of a specified fee, to a resident or nonresident who is under 16 years of age on July 1 of the licensing year for which that person seeks a license.
This bill would increase the age of eligibility for an applicant for a reduced-fee junior hunting license from 16 to 18 years of age, as specified. The bill would also make related conforming changes.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Section 3031 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to read:

3031.
 (a) A hunting license, granting the privilege to take birds and mammals, shall be issued to any of the following:
(1) A resident of this state, 16 18 years of age or older, upon the payment of a base fee of thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents ($31.25).
(2) A resident or nonresident, who is under 16 18 years of age on July 1 of the licensing year, upon the payment of a base fee of eight dollars and twenty-five cents ($8.25), regardless of whether that person applies before or after July 1 of that year. A license issued pursuant to this paragraph shall be known as a junior hunting license and a person who holds one of these licenses shall be known as a junior hunter.
(3) A nonresident, 16 18 years of age or older, upon the payment of a base fee of one hundred eight dollars and fifty cents ($108.50).
(4) A nonresident, 16 18 years of age or older, valid only for two consecutive days upon payment of the fee set forth in paragraph (1). A license issued pursuant to this paragraph is valid only for taking resident and migratory game birds, resident small game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, wild pigs, and nongame mammals, as defined in this code or in regulations adopted by the commission.
(5) A nonresident, valid for one day and only for the taking of domesticated game birds and pheasants while on the premises of a licensed game bird club, or for the taking of domesticated migratory game birds in areas licensed for shooting those birds, upon the payment of a base fee of fifteen dollars ($15).
(b) The base fees specified in this section are applicable to the 2004 license year, and shall be adjusted annually thereafter pursuant to Section 713.
(c) The commission shall adjust the amount of the fees specified in subdivision (b), as necessary, to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department and the commission relating to those licenses.
(d) A person who is 16 or 17 years of age, is in possession of a valid resident or nonresident junior hunting license, and is issued an entry permit pursuant to Section 551 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations may hunt in the area described in the entry permit unaccompanied by a person over 18 years of age but shall not be accompanied by a person under 16 years of age.

(e)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2020.