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.
Sportfishing Bills that Passed and Failed:
SB 144 (McGuire/Nielsen)
POSITION: Support
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 into law by Governor Brown
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 into law by Governor Brown
Supporters: California Parks Company
SB 187 (Berryhill) 12-Month Fishing License
POSITION: Sponsor/Support
This legislation sponsored by the California Sportfishing League aims to increase fishing participation rates, license sales and state revenue by making annual fishing license sales valid for a full 12-months from the date of purchase.
Status: Bill was killed in the State Assembly Appropriations Committee and then its language was amended into SB 518. SB 518 will be considered in January 2018.
Supporters: American Sportfishing Association, CalAsian Chamber of Commerce, California Aquaculture Association, California Association Boutique & Breakfast Inns, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, California Chamber of Commerce, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California Hotel & Lodging Association, California Independent Lodging Association, California Lodging Industry Association, California Parks Company, California Parks Hospitality Association, California Travel Association, California Waterfowl Association, California Yacht Brokers Association, CityPASS, Coastal Conservation Association of California, Congressional Sportmen’s Foundation, Dogtrekker.com, Fred Hall Show, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, International Union of Operating Engineers, Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Marine Recreation Association, Mariposa County Board of Supervisors, Mono County Fisheries Commission, National Federation of Independent Business, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Orange County Business Council, Orange County Visitors Association, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, Rural County Representatives of California, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Regional Chamber, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Service Employees International Union (Local 1000), Sportfishing Association of California, Team San Jose, Trout Unlimited, Visit Huntington Beach, Western Outdoor News, Worldwide Boaters Safety Group and Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.
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
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
AB 986 (Gallagher) 12-Month Fishing License/Veterans Discount
POSITION: Support
This legislation, similar to SB 187, aims to increase fishing license sales and revenue by making annual fishing license sales valid for a full 12-months from the date of purchase. The bill also discounts annual fishing license fees for American veterans.
Status: The Assembly Appropriations Committee has deemed AB 986 a two-year bill. May be acted upon January 2018. May be acted upon January 2018.
Supporters: American G.I. Forum of California, American Legion-Department of California, AMVETS – Department of California, CalAsian Chamber of Commerce, California Aquaculture Association, California Association Boutique & Breakfast Inns, California Association for Recreational Fishing, California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, California Chamber of Commerce, California Council of Chapters, California Hotel & Lodging Association, California Independent Lodging Association, California Lodging Industry Association, California Parks Company, California Parks Hospitality Association, California Pistol and Rifle Association, California Sportsmen’s Lobby, Inc., California Travel Association, California Waterfowl, California Yacht Brokers Association, CityPASS, Dogtrekker.com, Fred Hall Show, Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Marina Recreation Association, Military Officers Association of America, Mono County Fisheries Commission, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Federation of Independent Business, National Rifle Association, Orange County Business Council, Orange County Visitors Association, Outdoor Sportsmen’s Coalition of California, 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, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Sportfishing Association of California, Team San Jose, The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council, Visit Huntington Beach, Western Outdoor News, and World Wide Boating 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: Held on the Senate Floor.
Supporters: California Parks Company
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: Held in State Assembly
