Sportfishing Legislation
The California Sportfishing League (CSL) is a statewide organization of anglers and businesses dependent on recreational fishing for economic activity and jobs. We work closely with state and local organizations representing anglers, boaters, marina operators, small business, retailers and the travel and hospitality industry to support public policies that promote and sustain recreational fishing.
As a grassroots organization we also provide California’s 2.6 million anglers a voice in the political process and encourage them to contact their state representatives.
Click Here to contact your State Assembly Member and State Senator and urge them to support or oppose the following legislation.
Click Here for legislative updates.
Sportfishing Bills: (Updated 4.17.19)
As bills are amended, CSL’s position on state legislation is subject to change
2019 Legislative Session
AB 1387 (Wood) 365-Day Fishing License/Mobile App
POSITION: Support, CSL is the sponsor
Status: Passed the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on April 9, 2019. AB 1387 was heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on April 24, 2019 and was placed on the suspense file. Its fate will be determined soon.
To increase fishing license sales and revenue which fund the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, fish stocking and conservation programs – and to increase fishing participation rates that support economic activity, outdoor tourism and jobs, AB 1387…
- Replaces California’s current calendar-based system for a fishing license that is valid a full 365-days from the date of purchase. There will be no increase in the fee charged for the 365-day license.
- Requires the CDFW to create an app to display fishing licenses and information on mobile devices.
- Allows anglers to sign-up for automatic license renewals.
- The 365-day license will go into effect on January 1, 2021, after CDFW updates its Automated (fishing) License Data System, therefore saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars by not requiring software redesign.
Supporters: Abu-Garcia Fishing, American Sportfishing Association, Basecamp Hospitality, Bass Lakes, Berkley Fishing, Boat Owners Association of the United States (Boat U.S.), California Asian Chamber of Commerce, California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association of Recreational Fishing, California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, California Aquaculture Association, California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association, California Chamber of Commerce, California Deer Association, California Hotel & Lodging Association, California Houndsmen for Conservation, California Lodging Industry Association, Cal-Ore Wetland and Waterfowl Council, California Parks and Hospitality Association, California Rifle and Pistol Association, California Sportfishing League, California Striped Bass Association- West Delta Chapter, California Travel Association, California Waterfowl Association, California Yacht Brokers Association, Coastal Conservation Association of California, Coastside Fishing Club, Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, Delta Chamber of Commerce, Dogtrekker.com , Feather-Raft, Fred Hall Shows, Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Hookup Baits, Independent Lodging Industry Association, International Game Fish Association, International Sportsmen’s Expo, Los Angeles County Business Federation ,Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Marine Recreation Association, Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Sporting Goods Association, National Wild Turkey Foundation (California Chapter), Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmens Association, Pure Fishing, PENN Fishing, Recreational Boaters of California, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Rural County Representatives of California, Safari Club (San Francisco Chapter), San Diego County Wildlife Federation, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association, Shasta Lake Business Owners Association, Sportfishing Association of California, Tulare Basin Wetlands Association, Turner’s Outdoorsmen, Visit Huntington Beach, Visit Oceanside, Visit Yosemite Madera County, Wild Sheep Foundation (California Chapter), Worldwide Boaters Safety Group.
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: Held by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and is dead.
Supporters: California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Sportfishing 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.
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Status: Was held by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and is dead.
AB2787 (Quirk)
Position: Oppose unless Amended
This bill aimed to ban lead fishing tackle (50 grams or less) and has been gutted to become an energy storage procurement bill. Assemblyman Bill Quirk’s bill first sought to ban lead tackle, then it became a study bill and now it has become an energy bill.
Status: Has been gutted to become an energy storage procurement bill. Effort stalled.
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: The bill is dead.
Supporters: Abu-Garcia Fishing, American Sportfishing Association, Berkeley Fishing, California Asian Chamber of Commerce, California Association Boutique & Breakfast Inns, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Aquaculture Association, California Chamber of Commerce, California Hotel & Lodging Association, California Lodging Industry Association, California Parks Company, California Parks and Hospitality Association, California Sportfishing League, California Travel Association, California Yacht Brokers Association, Coastal Conservation Association of California, Congressional Sportsmen’s Federation, California Waterfowl Association, CityPASS, Dogtrekker.com, Los Angeles County Business Federation, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Marine Recreation Association, Mono County Fish & Wildlife Commission, National Federation of Independent Business, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Orange County Business Council, Orange County Visitors Association, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, PENN Fishing, Pure Fishing, Rural County Representatives of California, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Regional Chamber, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, Service Employees International Union, Sportfishing Association of California, Team San Jose, Visit Huntington Beach, and 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.
Status:Was held by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and is dead.
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
