SB-718
Natural Resources & Water

Hunting and sport fishing licenses: reduced fees.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for California residents enrolled in public assistance programs.
  • Requires applicants to provide documentation proving eligibility for specific benefit programs like Medicaid or CalFresh.
  • Mandates a comprehensive evaluation report on the program's impact by October 2029.
  • Expires automatically on January 1, 2031 unless renewed by the legislature.

Summary

Senators Dahle and Allen propose expanding access to hunting and sport fishing in California through a program offering reduced-fee licenses to residents who participate in specified public assistance programs. The Department of Fish and Wildlife would issue these discounted licenses to eligible individuals who receive benefits such as Medicaid, CalFresh, or Supplemental Security Income, provided they have no Fish and Game Code violations and can document their program participation.

The legislation establishes verification requirements for license applications, with the Fish and Game Commission developing regulations to define acceptable documentation of eligibility. For qualified recipients, hunting license fees would match existing reduced rates, while sport fishing licenses would maintain a base fee of four dollars, subject to inflation adjustments.

The Department must evaluate the program's outcomes in a report to the Legislature by October 1, 2029, examining license sales data, administrative costs, and changes in participation rates among eligible populations. The report will inform decisions about the program, which is set to expire on January 1, 2031, unless extended by future legislation.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 444
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Special Consent SB718 Dahle et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 4 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Megan Dahle
Megan DahleR
California State Senator
Benjamin Allen
Benjamin AllenD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for California residents enrolled in public assistance programs.
  • Requires applicants to provide documentation proving eligibility for specific benefit programs like Medicaid or CalFresh.
  • Mandates a comprehensive evaluation report on the program's impact by October 2029.
  • Expires automatically on January 1, 2031 unless renewed by the legislature.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Megan Dahle
Megan DahleR
California State Senator
Benjamin Allen
Benjamin AllenD
California State Senator

Summary

Senators Dahle and Allen propose expanding access to hunting and sport fishing in California through a program offering reduced-fee licenses to residents who participate in specified public assistance programs. The Department of Fish and Wildlife would issue these discounted licenses to eligible individuals who receive benefits such as Medicaid, CalFresh, or Supplemental Security Income, provided they have no Fish and Game Code violations and can document their program participation.

The legislation establishes verification requirements for license applications, with the Fish and Game Commission developing regulations to define acceptable documentation of eligibility. For qualified recipients, hunting license fees would match existing reduced rates, while sport fishing licenses would maintain a base fee of four dollars, subject to inflation adjustments.

The Department must evaluate the program's outcomes in a report to the Legislature by October 1, 2029, examining license sales data, administrative costs, and changes in participation rates among eligible populations. The report will inform decisions about the program, which is set to expire on January 1, 2031, unless extended by future legislation.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 444
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Special Consent SB718 Dahle et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Contacts

Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 4 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member