A measure by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee), establishing a combination hunting-fishing license, was approved last week by the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee.
Specifically, Jones’s Senate Bill 470 will allow a combined hunting-fishing license to be sold, be valid for 365 days from the date purchase, and be auto-renewed annually.
“This benefits Californians who love to hunt and fish as well as wildlife conservation programs that are funded by hunting and fishing license revenues,” stated Senator Jones. “The ease of getting one combined license, which is valid for a full year and can be auto-renewed, will help increase interest and participation in both of these sports.”
SB 470 is sponsored by the California Waterfowl Association and is supported by a diverse coalition of groups including, among others, the Coastal Conservation Association of California, NorCal Guides Association, Oceanside Senior Anglers, Recreational Boaters of California, and the Suisun Resource Conservation District.
SB 470 goes next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration.
According to the Bill:
This bill would create the annual combined hunting and fishing license that would grant the holder of the license the same privileges as the annual hunting and fishing licenses and that would be valid for a term of one year from the date specified on of purchase of the license. The bill would limit the issuance of these licenses to residents and would require the department to issue these licenses beginning January 1, 2023, upon payment of a fee of $100, as 2024. The bill would require the department to submit a report to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2023, that among others things, estimates the initial license fee necessary to fully recover the cost of developing, implementing, and administering the license and associated enforcement activities. The bill would require the Fish and Game Commission to determine the amount of the initial license fee based upon information in that report. The bill would require the license fee to be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill would require the Fish and Game Commission commission to adjust the amount of the fee to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department and the commission relating to these licenses. The bill would require the department to provide an applicant for one of these licenses the option to automatically renew the license and would provide a 5% discount if the applicant selects this option. license. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2028, to submit a report to the Legislature evaluating the license, as specified. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2030.
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