Sportfishing Legislation
While the 2017 State Legislative session offered great promise for recreational fishing’s future, it concluded in October with mixed results. The California Sportfishing League, an organization dedicated to protecting the angler’s right to fish, championed several fishing license bills this year that aimed to increase fishing participation rates and license sales that would generate new revenue for state fishery programs. Most notably, these bills enjoyed broad based support from state and local organizations representing anglers, boaters, marina operators, small business, labor, and the travel and hospitality industry. While the fishing license bills had no recorded opposition, some were killed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
In 2018, several 12-month fishing license bills that were either killed and resurrected, or held, are moving through the State Legislature. Both bills (SB 518 and AB 986) were amended significantly, and may require future amendments.
Anglers have a voice in the political process, so please make sure your State Assembly Member and State Senator hear from you! Click Here to find your representatives. For bill status and analysis, see below or Click Here.
Sportfishing Bills: (Updated 4.26.18)
2018 Legislative Session
AB 986 (Gallagher) 12-Month Fishing License/Veterans Discount
POSITION: Support, and recommend amendments
(Factsheet)
This legislation aims to increase fishing license sales and revenue by making available an additional annual fishing license valid for a full 12-months from the date of purchase at a premium of 130% of the price of the calendar-year annual license ($62.86). Today, California has an antiquated licensing system whereby annual fishing licenses expire on December 31st of every year, regardless of when it was purchased. This bill also discounts annual fishing licenses for American veterans by 25%, and by 50% for veterans that have a 50% or greater service-connected disability.
Status: Passed out of the Assembly, is in the Senate and has been double referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Water and the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Supporters: California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Sporfishing League, California Waterfowl Association, California Yacht Brokers Association, Fred Hall Shows, Los Angeles County Business Federation, Marine Recreation Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Rural County Representatives of California, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Sportfishing Association of California, Western Outdoor News, Worldwide Boaters Safety Group.
AB 1337 (Patterson) Government Transparency/Fish and Game Commission
POSITION: Support
This bill will ensure greater government transparency by requiring the commission to provide a live video broadcast on its website of every commission and subcommittee meeting that is open to the public.
Status: Vetoed by the Governor.
AB2465 (Gallagher)
Position: Support (CSL is the sponsor)
This bill would require the department, on or before February 1, 2019, to convene a sport fishing industry group, to be known as the R3 Group, with “R3” standing for “Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation.” Under the bill, the purpose of the R3 Group would be to collaborate with the department to identify barriers to sport fishing that contribute to the decline in sales of sport fishing licenses. The bill would specify the membership of the R3 Group and provide for the R3 Group to identify the above-described barriers to sport fishing and develop and approve recommendations for removal of those barriers, and submit to the Legislature, as provided, a report containing the approved recommendations.
Anglers have a voice in the political process, so please make sure your state Assembly Member and State Senator here from you. To find your state representatives, Click Here.
Support: California Sportfishing League
AB2787 (Quirk)
Position: Oppose unless Amended
This bill is amended to “study” the potential impacts of lead on California wildlife. Previously, as part of the hazardous waste control laws, this bill would prohibit a person from manufacturing, selling, or purchasing a fishing weight or sinker in California that has no cross section greater than or equal to two centimeters in length, is under 50 grams in mass, and contains more than 0.1% lead by weight. There is no science that justifies banning fishing weights found in nearly every California angler’s tackle box. Increasing costs and regulations have had a devastating impact on the state’s fishing participation rate, and funding for conservation programs dependent on fishing license sales.
Status: Passed out the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
Oppose unless amended: American Sportfishing Association, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Aquaculture Association, California Chamber of Commerce, California Parks Company, California Parks Hospitality Association,California Sportfishing League, California Yacht Brokers Association, California Yacht Marinas, Coastal Conservation Association, Coastside Fishing Club, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Coyote Bait and Tackle, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, Douglas Elliot, Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club, Marina Recreation Association, National Federation of Independent Business, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association, Oceanside Senior Anglers, Inc., Paradise Bass Club, Safe Harbor Marinas, San Diego County Wildlife Federation, United Pier and Shore Anglers of California, Visit Mammoth Lakes, Western Boaters Safety Group,
SB 518 (Berryhill) (Formally SB187) 12-Month Fishing License
POSITION: Support
Today, California has an antiquated and costly licensing system whereby annual fishing licenses expire on December 31st of every year, regardless of when it was purchased. This has contributed, in part, to significant declines in fishing participation rates and license sales. This legislation aims to increase fishing participation rates, license sales and state revenue by making annual fishing license valid for a full 12-months from the date of purchase at a premium of 130% of the annual calendar-year license ($62.86). This provision is also included in AB 986, introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher.
Status: SB 518 is awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
Supporters: California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Aquaculture Association, California Sportfishing League, California Yacht Brokers Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Federation, California Waterfowl Association, Los Angeles County Business Federation, Marina Recreation Association, Mono County Fish & Wildlife Commission, National Federation of Independent Business, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Rural County Representatives of California, Sportfishing Association of California, Western Outdoor News,
SB1311 (Berryhill)- Fishing/Hunting License Combo
Position: No Position at This Time
This bill would create the annual sportsman’s license that affords the holder of the license the same privileges as the annual hunting and fishing licenses but that is valid for a term of one year from July 1 to June 30, inclusive, or, if issued after the beginning of that term, for the remainder of the term. The bill would limit the issuance of these licenses to residents and would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue these licenses upon payment of an unspecified fee. The bill would require the fee to be adjusted annually pursuant to a specified index.
Boating
AB 71 (Chiu)
POSITION: Oppose, unless amended
This bill eliminates the interest deductions for Second Homes, including previously qualifying vessels. It abolishes a tax incentive that can make or break the decision to purchase vessels that are critical to access to fishing.
Status: The bill is dead.
2017 Session
AB 478 (Waldron) Free Fishing Up to 18
POSITION: Support
Under existing law, anglers are not required to obtain a fishing license until the age of 16. This bill increases the eligibility to fish for free to 18 years of age. Given that over 70 percent of anglers learned to fish during their youth, making fishing more affordable could increase future fishing participation rates and increase future fishing license sales.
Status: Held by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill is dead.
Supporters: CalAsian Chamber of Commerce, California Aquaculture Association, California Association Boutique & Breakfast Inns, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, California Chamber of Commerce, California Hotel & Lodging Association, California Independent Lodging Association, California Lodging Industry Association, California Parks Company, California Parks Hospitality Association, California Sportman’s Lobby, Inc., California Travel Association, California Yacht Brokers Association, CityPASS, Dogtrekker.com, Kiwanis Club of Escondido, Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Marina Recreation Association, National Federation of Independent Business, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Orange County Business Council, Orange County Visitors Association, Outdoor Sportmen’s Coalition of California, Orange County Business Council, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, Pure Fishing, Rural County Representatives of California, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Safari Club International, San Diego Regional Chamber, San Diego Tourism Authority, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Team San Jose, The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Visit Huntington Beach and World Wide Boating Safety Group
A steelhead report card is required of anglers taking steelhead trout. Monies from the sale of the cards is used by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to monitor take and to fund steelhead conservation programs. SB 144 extends this program through January 1, 2023.
Status: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
Supporters: California Parks Company
SB 161; (McGuire) Fish and Game Commission.
POSITION: Support
This bill requires the Fish and Game Commission to form a tribal committee from its membership consisting of at least one commissioner and would require the committee to report to the commission from time to time on its activities, and to make recommendations on all tribal matters considered by the commission.
Status: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
SB 234 (Berryhill) Protection of Local Fishing Rights (Amended – 3/21/2017)
POSITION: Sponsor/Support
This legislation, sponsored by the California Sportfishing League, required the California Fish and Game Commission to conduct a survey and evaluation of local agencies to determine whether they were enacting illegal fishing restrictions, like pier and jetty fishing bans. According to current law, and the California Constitution, only the F&G Commission can establish recreational fishing regulations that limit the amount and method of take. While local public agencies continue to violate the law, the F&G Commission opposed SB 234 in its final form.
Status: Held by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill is dead.
Supporters: California Aquaculture Association, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Parks Company, California Yacht Brokers Association, Marina Recreation Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, and World Wide Boating Safety Group
