Bill > AB1319

This bill establishes new provisions in California law related to wildlife and endangered species protections, specifically making it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, or purchase any fish, wildlife, or plant that was taken or sold in violation of state or federal laws as of January 19, 2025. The bill introduces criminal penalties for violations, with first-time offenses punishable by fines between $5,000 and $40,000 and/or up to one year in county jail, and subsequent offenses carrying higher fines between $10,000 and $50,000. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to monitor and respond to potential decreases in federal protections for endangered species, with the power to add species to a provisional candidate list if federal protections are substantially reduced. The department must publish findings in the California Regulatory Notice Register and report such determinations at public commission meetings. Importantly, entities operating under existing federal authorizations will not face criminal or civil penalties as long as they comply with their federal biological opinions. These provisions will become inoperative on December 31, 2031, and be fully repealed on January 1, 2032, providing a time-limited framework for these enhanced wildlife protection measures.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1319