Bill Text: CA AB1784 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Mountain lions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-07-13 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 115, Statutes of 2012. [AB1784 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB1784-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1784	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Monning

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2012

   An act to add Section 4810 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to
mountain lions, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect
immediately.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1784, as introduced, Monning. Mountain lions.
   Proposition 117, an initiative measure approved by the electors at
the June 5, 1990, primary election, enacted the California Wildlife
Protection Act of 1990. The act establishes that the mountain lion is
a specially protected mammal under the laws of this state, and makes
it unlawful to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell any
mountain lion or any part or product thereof. The act establishes
certain exemptions from that prohibition. The act prohibits the
Legislature from changing the act, with specified exceptions, except
by a 4/5 vote of the membership of both houses of the Legislature and
then only if consistent with, and in furtherance of, the purposes of
the act.
   This bill would authorize the Department of Fish and Game to
authorize qualified individuals, educational institutions,
governmental agencies, or nongovernmental organizations to conduct
mountain lion research projects designed to meet specific goals and
governed by a memorandum of understanding. The bill would find and
declare that the amendments made by the bill are consistent with, and
further the purposes of, the act.
   This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an urgency statute.
   Vote: 4/5. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 4810 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to
read:
   4810.  (a) The department may authorize qualified individuals,
educational institutions, governmental agencies, or nongovernmental
organizations to conduct scientific research of mountain lions.
Authorized mountain lion research projects shall be designed to do
the following:
   (1) Contribute to knowledge of natural wildlife ecosystems.
   (2) Following best practices, minimize disruptions in the lives
and movements of mountain lions and other wildlife, as well as
impacts to the habitat while maintaining the applicant's objectives.
   (3) Directly or indirectly support the sustainability and survival
of mountain lion populations and healthy ecosystems.
   (4) Not include the intentional injury or killing of any mountain
lion.
   (b) An authorized mountain lion research project shall be governed
by a memorandum of understanding between the department and the
authorized research entity that addresses the following issues:
   (1) Trapping and anesthetizing of the animals, collection of
diagnostic samples, attaching or surgically implanting monitoring or
recognition devices or markings, and providing veterinary care or
euthanasia as required for the health, safety, and humane treatment
of the animals.
   (2) Qualifications of onsite field supervisors necessary for
carrying out authorized research procedures.
   (3) Annual and final progress reports. Reports shall be made
available to the public upon request.
   (c) The department shall notify the public of an authorized
mountain lion research project at least 30 days prior to its
initiation, and upon request, shall make available to the public
copies of the memorandum of understanding pursuant to subdivision
(b).
   (d) Authorized mountain lion capture and handling procedures shall
be consistent with the trapping restrictions imposed in Section
4809. Any mortality or injury to a mountain lion as a result of
authorized research shall be handled consistent with the reporting
and processing requirements imposed in Section 4807.
   (e) Authorization may be revoked at the discretion of either the
department or the commission.
  SEC. 2.  The Legislature finds and declares that the amendments
made by this act are consistent with, and further the purposes of,
the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990.
  SEC. 3.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order to allow the continuation of critical ongoing scientific
research on mountain lions, a specially protected mammal, it is
necessary that this act take effect immediately.