Migratory birds: California Migratory Bird Protection Act.

Assembly Member Kalra's California Migratory Bird Protection Act proposes permanent safeguards for migratory birds by removing the January 2026 sunset date from existing state protections and expanding their scope. The legislation prohibits taking or possessing any migratory bird species designated under federal law before January 1, 2025, as well as any species added to federal protections after that date.

The bill aligns state regulations with federal standards while maintaining California's authority to enforce protections. Under the new provisions, exceptions exist only for activities permitted by U.S. Secretary of the Interior regulations that do not conflict with state code. The measure includes an urgency clause for immediate implementation upon passage, with the bill's findings citing the need to protect California's bird species and their ecosystems without delay.

By modifying the definition of unlawful activities regarding migratory birds, the legislation creates a state-mandated local program. However, the bill specifies that local agencies and school districts require no reimbursement for implementation costs, as the changes relate to crime definition modifications under the California Constitution's provisions for state mandates.