Since 1980, a political action committee called Paw PAC has followed state legislation and state agency actions that affect animals, working to support or defeat specific bills. The following list was compiled by Virginia Handley, Paw PAC founder and lobbyist, who also started Animal Switchboard (415-474-4021) in 1972, which continues to provide 24/7 counseling and referrals for Bay Area animal problems
You can subscribe to Paw PAC’s animal legislation email updates by writing to info@pawpac.org or calling 510-222-2236. Donations by mail or via PayPal allow Paw PAC to publish alerts and annual Voting Charts, maintain its website (www.pawpac.org), make endorsements, testify at hearings, distribute position papers, and host monthly legislative meetings in the Capitol Building at which all animal advocates are welcome.
BILLS PASSED
(Unless otherwise noted, Paw PAC supported the following bills and actions.)
AB 610 by Assemblymember Jose Solorio re: Spay/Neuter License Plates. Allows the Veterinary Medical Board, sponsor of the license plate, another year to sell the required 7,500 applications.
AB 1162 by Assemblymember Wes Chesbro re: Poaching. Raises penalties for poaching “trophy deer, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep” and for using “signal emitting devices” to poach bears for their parts, such as gall bladders and paws.
AB 1478 by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield re: State Parks. Establishes a two-year moratorium on state park closures and ensures greater spending oversight.
AB 1589 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman re: State Parks. Establishes California State Parks Protection Fund. Requires State Parks Department to have an action plan to keep the parks open.
AB 1776 by Assemblymember Paul Fong re: Sea Turtles. Declares the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle our State Marine Reptile and October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day. Urges state and federal government to be proactive with conservation measures.
AB 1839 by Assemblymember Fiona Ma re: Veterinary Assistants. Until 2015, allows veterinary assistants to administer a “controlled substance” under the direct/indirect supervision of a veterinarian.
AB 1784 by Assemblymember Bill Monning re: Mountain Lions. Authorizes Dept. of Fish and Game (DFG) to enter into agreements with individuals, educational institutions, agencies, and organizations for research purposes. No position taken.
AB 1973 by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen re: Protected Species. Allows the “incidental take” of salamanders at the Ferguson Slide Restoration Project, a major highway. Requires compliance with CEQA. No position taken.
AB 2194 by Assemblymember Beth Gaines re: Humane Officers. Requires fingerprinting and criminal histories of applicant state humane officers to be sent to the FBI and local animal control agencies. No position taken.
AB 2402 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman re: Fish and Game. Changes name of Dept. of Fish and Game to Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Establishes independent scientific advisory panel. Authorizes “partnerships” with non-profit organizations. Creates an “environmental crime task force.”
AB 2609 by Assemblymember Ben Hueso re: Fish and Game Commission (FGC). Requires President of FGC to be elected by fellow commissioners instead of by seniority. Encourages Gov. to appoint commissioners with knowledge of natural resources, not just outdoor recreation (hunting). Requires a “code of conduct.”
ACR 106 by Assembymember Cameron Smyth re: Parks. Declares July 2012 as “Parks Make Life Better” month and recognizes their essential role in recreation, open space preservation, nature education, and dog parks.
ACR 120 by Assemblymember Jim Neilsen re: Cattlemen. Declares Cattlemen’s Day, March 21, 2012. No position taken.
SB 1066 by Sen. Ted Lieu re: Global Warming. Authorizes the State Coastal Conservancy to address impacts of global warming.
SB 1107 by Sen. Tom Berryhill re: Hunting. Sets up program where hunters/fishers, when getting their licenses by computer, can connect with non-profit organizations “related to the conservation of sport fish or game species.” PawPAC opposed.
SB 1145 by Sen. Bill Emmerson re: Animal Fighting. Raises the fine for animal fighting from $5,000 to $10,000 for participants and from $1,000 to $5,000 for spectators.
SB 1148 by Sen. Fran Pavley re: Hunting/Fishing Licenses. Requires FGC to establish base fees for hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses, among other provisions.
SB 1162 by Sen. Sharon Runner re: Tranquilizers. Authorizes a trained animal control officer to administer a tranquilizer to a wild, stray, or abandoned animal without a veterinarian present.
SB 1221 by Sen. Ted Lieu re: Hound Hunting. Prohibits the use of dogs in hunting bobcats/bears.
SB 1229 by Sen. Fran Pavley re: De-Clawing and De-Barking. Prohibits a landlord from requiring de-clawing of a cat or de-barking of a dog as a condition of rental.
SB 1249 by Sen. Lois Wolk re: Fish and Game Land. Authorizes DFG to enter into contracts with groups for operation of DFG-managed lands to allow hunting/fishing, etc. (PawPAC opposed.)
SB 1367 by Sen. Jean Fuller re: Archery. Allows bow and arrow hunters who are peace officers to carry concealed weapons when hunting. (PawPAC opposed.)
SB 1500 by Sen. Ted Lieu re: Seized and Abandoned Animals. Amends procedures in dealing with “owners” of seized/abandoned animals to be sure the people can properly care for the animals.
SCR 62 by Sen. Darrell Steinberg re: Spay/Neuter. Designates February 2012 as Spay/Neuter month.
SCR 70 by Sen. Ted Gaines re: National Day of the Cowboy. Establishes the 4th Saturday of every July as National Day of the Cowboy, glorifying rodeos. (PawPAC opposed.)
California Fish and Game Commission actions 1) Tightened regs re: inspections of facilities that keep restricted exotic species. 2)Accepted petition to consider wolves endangered in California.
BILLS VETOED
SB 1480 by Sen. Ellen Corbett re: Trapping. Would have established a license requirement for for-profit trappers of wildlife “doing damage,” as well as prohibiting certain methods of killing and the trapping of lactating females. Paw PAC supported.
BILLS FAILED
(Unless otherwise noted, Paw PAC opposed the following bills and actions.)
Budget Bill to repeal Hayden Law re: Animal Shelters. The Hayden law remains “suspended,” as it has been for several years, meaning it’s on the books but not a mandate. Most shelters voluntarily comply.
AB 606 by Assemblymember Mike Gatto re: Hunting. Would have required hunting be allowed on property under contract with Fish & Game for habitat preservation.
AB 1773 by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada re: Migratory Birds. Would have declared the importance of the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds and the need to protect their habitats for wildlife. (PawPAC supported.)
AB 1939 by Assemblymember Richard Pan re: Dog Licensing. Would have authorized animal control agencies in five counties to issue puppy licenses and require dealers, humane societies, and rescue groups to report to animal control agencies with the names/addresses of buyers/adopters.
AB 2179 by Assemblymember Michael Allen re: Fish and Game Enforcement. Would have authorized the FGD to adjudicate hearings when a fine is imposed and a hearing is requested. (PawPAC supported.)
AB 2283 by Assemblymember Tony Portantino re: Fish & Game. Would have changed the name of the Department of Fish & Game to Department of Fish & Wildlife. (AB 2402, a more comprehensive bill, passed and accomplished the same purpose. Paw PAC supported both measures.)
AB 2304 by Assemblymember Martin Garrick re: Teeth Cleaning. Would have allowed “dental operations” not performed by a veterinarian to include use of scalers for teeth cleaning. No position taken.
AB 2414 by Assemblymember Jose Solorio re: Euthanasia. Would have impacted euthanasia law. No position taken.
AB 2536 by Assemblymember Betsy Butler re: Stray Animals. Would have required finders of stray animals to submit them to animal control agencies for “inspection.” (Paw PAC opposed.)
SB 580 by Sen. Lois Wolk re: Parks. Would have prohibited park lands from being sold for other purposes. PawPAC supported.
SB 969 by Sen. Juan Vargas re: Groomers. Would have set up California Pet Grooming Council to oversee voluntary certification of pet groomers and set standards for housing/handling. PawPAC supported.
SB 1126 by Sen. Mimi Walters re: Wildlife Center. Would have granted the Wildlife Center in San Diego a permit to continue wildlife rehabilitation. PawPAC supported.
SB 1166 by Sen. Tom Berryhill re: Fish and Game Preservation Fund. Would have allowed hunting organizations that sell tags for Bighorn Sheep/Mule Deer to keep administrative costs.
SB 1358 by Sen. Mimi Walters re: Wardens. Would have given Fish & Game wardens more bargaining power by allowing them to join with other law enforcement officers, such as Highway Patrol. (PawPAC supported.)
SB 1447 by Sen. Mimi Walters re: Artificial Reefs. Would have changed the purpose of artificial reefs from creating natural habitat to enhancing commercial and sport fishing.
SB 1457 by Sen. Joel Anderson re: Wild Pigs. Would have allowed killing wild pigs without a depredation permit or hunting license in San Diego County.
SB 1523 by Sen. Tony Strickland re: Race Horse Retirement. Would have provided money from fines and fees to go into “Retired California Race Horses Fund” for the rehab/retraining of race horses. (PawPAC supported.)
For copies of bills, votes, and analyses and to find contact info for your state representatives, go to: leginfo.ca.gov. Mailing address for all legislators and the Governor: State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814.Many legislative hearings are recorded. Go to www.calchannel.com, then navigate to Live Webcast. For Fish and Game Commission meetings, go to www.cal-span.org.
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