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Bill to reestablish statewide wildlife coexistence program advances after negotiated changes
Summary
SB 1135 would reestablish a statewide wildlife coexistence and compensation program at CDFW emphasizing proactive nonlethal measures; negotiated amendments narrowed compensation eligibility and drew the California Cattlemen's Association and Farm Bureau into neutral positions, but several members pressed to add explicit law‑enforcement or public‑safety representation to advisory committees.
The sponsor described SB 1135 as reestablishing and strengthening a statewide program at the Department of Fish and Wildlife to reduce human–wildlife conflict using nonlethal strategies, regional staff, and targeted compensation. The author cited examples — including a high-profile bear killing — to argue that proactive programs lower the need for lethal responses. Jennifer Fearing of the National Wildlife Federation and Pam Flick of Defenders of Wildlife described evidence that coexistence programs reduce conflict and urged the committee to restore a statewide program lost when prior funds expired.
Several agriculture and county representatives spoke either in neutral or in support after negotiated amendments. Kirk Wilber of the California Cattlemen's Association and Steven Penaroli of the California Farm Bureau said the groups moved from opposed to neutral after amendments that narrowed compensation triggers and clarified funding. Assemblymember Hadwick and other members pressed the author on why law enforcement and rural sheriffs were not explicitly listed for advisory roles; the author and witnesses said law enforcement could be included as part of a broader public-safety category and that their negotiations had focused on crafting a technical advisory committee representing diverse expertise. The committee accepted amendments and moved the item to appropriations 'on call.'
