Two California Bills Could Have Major Impacts on Sportsmen
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?
Two California Bills Could Have Major Impacts on Sportsmen
8/11/08
Two bills nearing passage in California show just why the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance partners with groups like the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) to help hunters and anglers nationwide. One bill, supported by USSA and COHA, helps sportsmen while the other could unfairly penalize them for doing what they have always done.
The good bill, Assembly Bill 815, makes it clear that the state is solely responsible for the regulation of hunting and fishing, not local authorities. The legislation would prevent the possibility of local governments placing unreasonable restrictions and outright bans on hunters and anglers. It also prevents sportsmen from becoming victims of a patchwork of differing fish and game laws that could change from one township to the next making it impossible to know what’s legal and what’s not. While the bill has not yet been voted on, it could be called up anytime. California sportsmen are urged to contact their Senator today. To contact them, use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.
Meanwhile, the bad bill, Assembly Bill 1634 would force an owner of an unsprayed/unneutered dog to pay a fine when a local animal control agency receives a complaint about his or her dog, if they are cited. While the original legislation was even worse than the one ready for a vote in the Senate, it still has many problems for sportsmen. The biggest problem is that the animal control agency does not actually have to prove a violation has occurred, they only need to receive an allegation that a violation has occurred in order to cite someone. If a third citation is issued, the bill goes from bad to ugly. Even if none of the allegations are proven, it will mandate the dog be spayed or neutered on the third one. So now, taking the normal precautions that sportsmen always have with their dogs is not enough if they become targeted by someone who wants to give them a problem. California sportsmen are urged to call their Senator today. To contact them, use the Legislative Action Center.
