SB 518: Sport fishing licenses: 12 consecutive month licenses.

Existing law requires every person 16 years of age or older who takes any fish, reptile, or amphibian for any purpose other than profit to first obtain a sport fishing license for that purpose, with specified exceptions, and to have that license on his or her person or in his or her immediate possession when engaged in carrying out any activity authorized by the license. Existing law requires a resident or a nonresident, 16 years of age or older, upon payment of a specified fee, to be issued a sport fishing license for the period of a calendar year, or, if issued after the beginning of the year, for the remainder thereof. Existing law also requires the issuance of shorter term licenses upon payment of a specified lesser fee. Existing law requires the Fish and Game Commission to adjust the amount of the fees, as prescribed, to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the commission relating to those licenses.

This bill, in addition to sport fishing licenses for the periods specified above, would require a sport fishing license to be issued to a resident or nonresident for the period of 12 consecutive months, upon payment of a fee that is equal to 130% of the fees for issuance of resident or nonresident calendar-year licenses, as applicable. The bill would require the department to provide applicants for these licenses the option of signing up for automatic renewal of the license by electronic payment and would set the fee for licenses issued upon automatic renewal at the same price as a calendar-year license issued to residents or nonresidents, as applicable. The bill would require the commission to adjust the amount of the fees as necessary to fully recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation and administrative costs of the department and the commission relating to these licenses, including all costs related to their establishment. establishment and enforcement. The bill would require the department to collect all relevant, appropriate, and sufficient data necessary to justify the amount of the fees, as provided. The bill would require the department to submit to the Legislature a written report on the implementation of these provisions. provisions, as provided. The bill would make these provisions operative beginning January 1, 2020, until January 1, 2025.