AB 3117: Hunting: nonlead ammunition: temporary suspension: criteria.

Existing law requires the use of nonlead centerfire rifle and pistol ammunition, as determined by the Fish and Game Commission, when taking big game with a rifle or pistol, and when taking coyote, within the California condor range. Existing law further requires, as soon as is practicable, but by no later than July 1, 2019, the use of nonlead ammunition for the taking of all wildlife, including game mammals, game birds, nongame birds, and nongame mammals, with any firearm, and requires the commission to promulgate regulations by July 1, 2015, that phase in the requirements of these provisions. Existing law requires the latter prohibition to be suspended for a specific hunting season and caliber if the Director of Fish and Wildlife finds that nonlead ammunition of that specific caliber is not commercially available from any manufacturer because of federal prohibitions relating to armor-piercing ammunition.

This bill would instead require the commission to temporarily suspend the latter prohibition for a specific hunting season and caliber if the commission finds that nonlead ammunition of the specific caliber is not available for any reason. The bill would require the commission, on or before January July 1, 2020, to adopt criteria to determine when nonlead ammunition is not available for purposes of this provision and would require those criteria to include the regional availability and cost of nonlead ammunition. The bill would require the commission to establish an advisory commissions wildlife resources committee to provide recommendations to the commission on the criteria used to determine when nonlead ammunition is not available and which calibers should be considered for temporary suspension. The bill would prohibit a suspension from remaining in effect for longer than 3 years. The bill would require the commission to make any finding that nonlead ammunition is not available publicly available on the its Internet Web site.