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Assembly passes Hadwick bill allowing county wildlife conflict prevention spending
Summary
The Assembly unanimously approved AB 1673, allowing county fish and game commissions greater flexibility to use fines and fees for wildlife conflict prevention; the bill passed on a recorded vote of 62–0.
Assemblymember Hadwick presented AB 1673 on the Assembly floor March 25, saying rural communities in her district are “overwhelmed by high volumes of conflict with large predators” and that the bill would give county fish and game commissions more tools to prevent wildlife conflicts.
“AB 1673 gives my communities more resources, tools, and flexibility to manage these threats,” Hadwick said, saying mountain lions, bears and wolves were killing livestock, pets and people in parts of her district. She told colleagues the bill would allow county commissions to use fees and penalties to fund prevention activities in addition to traditional fish-and-game work.
The clerk opened a roll-call vote following presentation and the Speaker announced the tally: 62 yes, 0 no. The Assembly declared the measure passed.
Why it matters: Hadwick said the change would direct local revenue from enforcement toward on-the-ground prevention in communities facing repeated wildlife incidents. The bill’s floor presentation referred to existing practice under the Fish and Game Code that allows county commissions to use revenue generated from violations to protect fish and wildlife; AB 1673 would broaden acceptable uses to include wildlife conflict prevention.
What’s next: The Assembly passed the bill on second/third-reading action today; the measure will proceed according to the regular legislative process.
