Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits the use of lead ammunition for hunting wildlife.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the use of lead ammunition for hunting big game within the geographic range of the California condor (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Fish and Game Commission to implement a total prohibition on the use of lead bullets for hunting all wildlife within the geographic range of the California condor as soon as possible before July 1, 2019 (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Fish and Game Commission to establish and annually update a list of certified nonlead ammunition, including but not limited to federally approved “nontoxic” shotgun ammunition (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the Fish and Game Commission to provide an individual who holds a hunting permit with a coupon for free or reduced price nonlead ammunition (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the coupon program established by this bill will only be implemented to the greatest extent possible using local, federal, public, or other nonstate sources of funding (Sec. 2).

• Classifies a violation of the provisions of this bill as an infraction resulting in the following fines (Sec. 2):
• A fine of $500 for a first offense; and
• A fine of between $1,000 and $5,000 for a second or subsequent offense.

• Exempts government officials and their agents from the requirements of this bill when they are acting in accordance with their legal duties (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the use of lead ammunition for hunting wildlife.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the use of lead ammunition for hunting big game within the geographic range of the California condor (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Fish and Game Commission to implement a total prohibition on the use of lead bullets for hunting all wildlife within the geographic range of the California condor as soon as possible before July 1, 2019 (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Fish and Game Commission to establish and annually update a list of certified nonlead ammunition, including but not limited to federally approved “nontoxic” shotgun ammunition (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the Fish and Game Commission to provide an individual who holds a hunting permit with a coupon for free or reduced price nonlead ammunition (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the coupon program established by this bill will only be implemented to the greatest extent possible using local, federal, public, or other nonstate sources of funding (Sec. 2).

• Classifies a violation of the provisions of this bill as an infraction resulting in the following fines (Sec. 2):
• A fine of $500 for a first offense; and
• A fine of between $1,000 and $5,000 for a second or subsequent offense.

• Exempts government officials and their agents from the requirements of this bill when they are acting in accordance with their legal duties (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text