Bill > AB928

This bill addresses rooster restrictions and aims to combat cockfighting in California by prohibiting, starting January 1, 2027, individuals from keeping more than 25 roosters that are movement-constrained through enclosures or tethers. The legislation stems from ongoing challenges with cockfighting, which is illegal but persistently practiced, and is motivated by concerns about associated criminal activities and potential public health risks, particularly the spread of avian diseases like H5N1 avian flu. The bill establishes specific exemptions for food production, educational institutions, animal shelters, nonprofit organizations, agricultural youth programs, and legitimate poultry breeders who meet certain criteria, such as not having prior cockfighting convictions. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, with each day of violation considered a separate offense. The bill provides detailed definitions for key terms like "enclosure" and "rooster," and explicitly defines different types of roosters, including "gamefowl roosters" specifically bred for fighting. Importantly, the legislation does not prevent local jurisdictions from implementing even more restrictive rooster-keeping ordinances and maintains that it does not limit the enforcement of existing animal protection laws.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB928