Bill > SB718

This bill amends California's Fish and Game Code to create a new reduced-fee hunting and sport fishing license program for low-income residents, beginning no later than January 1, 2027, and running until January 1, 2032. Specifically, the bill will provide reduced-fee hunting and sport fishing licenses to qualified recipients who are state residents and have not been convicted of Fish and Game Code violations. Qualified recipients are defined as individuals receiving certain public benefits, such as CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, or the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Applicants must provide adequate documentation proving their eligibility, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife will have the authority to verify these documents. The reduced-fee licenses will cost the same as existing reduced-fee licenses. The bill also requires the Director of Fish and Wildlife to submit a report to the Legislature by October 1, 2029, evaluating the effect of these reduced-fee licenses, including information on license sales, administrative costs, and changes in hunting and fishing participation. This report will help assess the program's impact and effectiveness in making hunting and fishing more accessible to low-income residents.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB718