SB147 — SB 147 is referenced as the streamlining provision from the Governor’s 2023 infrastructure package, with the discussion emphasizing that it was not intended to be used for highway widening projects.
Pat Moran — Represents the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and states opposition due to tribal cultural resource impacts.
Ruth McDonald — States respectful opposition on behalf of Climate Action California, 350 Bay Area Action, and the Climate Plan.
Caitlin Birch — Caitlin Birch is introduced as being with Oceana and as Scott Webb’s colleague, then she identifies herself as a Marine Scientist for Oceana and co-sponsor of AB 1056. She goes on to testify in support of AB 1056 and urges the committee to support the bill, referencing Oceana’s conservation work.
Caitlin Birch — Stated opposition to the bill.
Scott Webb — Scott Webb, with the Resource Renewal Institute, introduced himself and discussed the history of set gill net restrictions in California. He explained that he and Caitlin Birch were involved with the California Fish and Game Commission’s major public process to improve management of the set gill net fishery and described the broader history of set gill net bans and commission action on the issue.
Scott Webb — From the Resource Institute and opposed the bill.
Scott Webb — Urges an aye vote in support of AB 1319.
Andrew Governor — Andrew Governor testified in opposition on behalf of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, stating that he remained opposed even after amendments. He added that his client could not attend because of an issue with her fishing business, and implied that the amendments did not resolve the concerns driving their opposition.
AB1146 — AB 1146 is introduced as a bill aimed at preventing the use of water resources as a political prop by giving the State Water Board interim relief authority and penalties to stop false-pretense water releases. During discussion, concerns are raised about whether the bill would have changed accountability in the January incident and whether its penalties would reach federal operations. The author then offers closing remarks, describing the bill as arising from an unusual circumstance. The item concludes with the committee motion to pass AB 1146 as amended to Appropriations.
AB1146 — Item number 14; motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations.
AB1146 — Consent calendar item voted on.
Chelsea Haynes — Testified in opposition on behalf of the Association of California Water Agencies and argued the bill would create a new enforcement precedent.
Alex Bearing — Testified in opposition on behalf of California Farm Bureau and said the bill would not have stopped the January incident.
Andrea Abregel — Testified in opposition on behalf of the California Municipal Utilities Association.
Adam Canyanis — Testified in opposition on behalf of multiple agricultural associations.
AB1038 — AB 1038 is presented as a humane, science-based response to human-wildlife conflict, especially bear conflicts, aimed at preserving natural animal behavior while protecting public safety. The speaker emphasizes that the bill is not about harming animals or mandating more hunting, but instead offers wildlife managers a practical middle-ground tool for dealing with bears that have become dangerously accustomed to human food. She argues it supports coexistence between rural communities and wildlife and closes by asking for an aye vote, noting support from a county sheriff and a large carnivore biologist/bear conflict expert.
AB1038 — Witnesses expressed strong support for AB 1038, with repeated references to the bill receiving strong backing from multiple speakers.
AB1038 — AB 1038 is discussed in a sustained block of testimony opposing the bill. Speakers argue that it would allow GPS-collar hounding practices to run amok in California wildlands, characterize it as a recreational hounding or bear-hunting bill disguised as a public safety measure, say it is unnecessary and not supported by science, and conclude by urging a no vote.
AB1038 — AB 1038 is presented as a compromise approach to bear-human conflict, balancing safety, science, and ecological concerns by offering a middle ground between minimal intervention and lethal action. The committee then takes up the bill on a motion to do pass to Appropriations, and the author closes by urging support and reiterating the bill’s purpose before the vote.
AB1038 — AB 1038 is taken up as a consent-calendar item and voted on, then a reconsideration is requested and granted for the bill.
Sierra County Sheriff Michael Fisher — Introduced as a supporter and technical resource on the issue.
Kyle Garrett — Kyle Garrett, introduced as a large carnivore biologist and bear conflict expert, then testified in support of the bill. He explained that he had worked for CDFW in Lake Tahoe and had helped with the Downieville situation. He argued that allowing dogs for hazing is comparable to other hazing tactics already used, such as paintball guns and air horns, with the goal of giving bears a negative experience with humans. He also questioned an old report citing average hound chases of three to 12 hours, noting it was from 1985, and said GPS collars would prevent prolonged pursuit. He concluded that nobody wants a dog or a bear to endure a 12-hour chase.
El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Lakoff — Mentioned as being in the audience to provide technical support if needed.
Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher — Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher testifies about the first documented human death involving a black bear in 2023 and says an independent pathologist, after consulting with Alaska pathologists, concluded it was a probable bear mauling. He describes frequent bear hazing efforts by him and his deputies, including driving through the community with an air horn to push bears away, and says Sierra County has not expanded even as bear activity and seasonal visitation have increased. Fisher supports the bill because the county needs additional tools to address the problem, estimates there were about 200 bear-related calls for service last year, and closes by saying he supports any measure that helps get bears out of the community and back into the forest.
AB1030 — The witness explains that AB 1030 would help minimize conflict through dog-assisted hazing and clarifies that it does not open a hunting season; instead, it restores authority to the Fish and Game Commission to determine bear hunting regulations.
Greg Herner — Testified in support on behalf of 10 chapters of the Fire Club International.
Keely Hopkins — Testified in support as State Director for the National Rifle Association.
Nickville — Identified as a biologist with the California Rifle and Pistol Association and spoke in favor.
Krista Mavlin — Testified in support on behalf of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Mark Henley — Testified in strong support on behalf of the California Waterfowl Association.
Terrence George — Testified in support on behalf of California Houndsmen for Conservation.
Elizabeth Washoe — Testified in support, saying the bill is a winning solution for animals and wildlife on ancestral homelands.
Lori Jacobs — Testified as president of California Houndsmen for Conservation and said the sponsor strongly supports the bill.
Justin Zimmer — Testified in support of the bill.
Chase Kiefer — Testified in strong support from Shasta County.
Bill Gaines — Testified on behalf of 36 wildlife conservation organizations in strong support of AB 1038.
Kim Davis — Testified in support on behalf of California Houndsmen for Conservation and Mendocino Houndsmen.
Dustin Griffin — Testified in support from Groveland, California.
Brian Kiefer — Testified from Northern California with CHC in support.
Sarah Colby — Testified as a veterinary technician and houndsman from Nevada in strong support of AB 1038.
Chairman Schmidt — Identified themselves as being from Yuba County and in support of the bill; name may be a transcription error.
Ryan Redmond — Testified in support from Yuba County.
Altaglary — Testified in support from Backville; name/location may be uncertain.
Jeff Becker — Testified in support from Napa, California.
Brian Barron — Testified in support from Napa.
Brandon Quintana — Testified in support from Fresno County.