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Senate committee advances bill to restore statewide wildlife coexistence program amid rancher concerns
Summary
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee advanced SB 1135, which would reestablish a Department of Fish and Wildlife program to reduce human‑wildlife conflict with nonlethal tools; supporters cited rising incident reports while ranching groups pressed for practicability and compensation safeguards.
Senator Blake Spear introduced SB 1135 to reestablish a California Wildlife Coexistence Program in the Department of Fish and Wildlife aimed at reducing human‑wildlife conflicts through nonlethal, species‑specific strategies.
Supporters told the committee the program — which operated for three years before losing funding in 2024 — focused regional staff on outreach and technical assistance. "A statewide wildlife coexistence program like established by SB 1135 could have saved Blondie's life," Jennifer Fearing of the National Wildlife Federation said,…
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