BILL NUMBER: AB 883INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Huffman FEBRUARY 26, 2009 An act relating to fish and wildlife. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 883, as introduced, Huffman. Department of Fish and Game. Existing law establishes the Department of Fish and Game within the Natural Resources Agency, and generally charges the department with the administration and enforcement of the Fish and Game Code. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and capacity of the department to fulfill its public trust mission, take steps necessary to fulfill specified policy goals, and identify changes in organizational structure or statutory authorities that would enable the department and the state to more efficiently and effectively provide for the protection, conservation, and management of the state's fish and wildlife. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) California is known worldwide for its rich ecological diversity and for the many fish and wildlife species that inhabit its lands and waters. These species and their habitats provide important ecological services and contribute significantly to the state and local economies. (b) California's fish and wildlife resources are held in trust for the people of the state by and through the Department of Fish and Game. Numerous past studies have identified significant shortfalls in the department's ability to carry out its public trust mandate to protect and manage fish and wildlife resources, both for their intrinsic values and for the benefit of the public. While progress has been made in some areas, significant challenges remain. (c) Fish and wildlife populations are declining and many species are threatened with extinction. The state's biological diversity faces multiple and growing threats, including, but not limited to, habitat loss, lack of adequate water flows, pollution, invasive species, and the anticipated effects of climate change. SEC. 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would do all of the following: (a) Enhance the effectiveness, accountability, and capacity of the Department of Fish and Game to fulfill its public trust mission to protect, conserve, and manage California's fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of the people of the state. (b) Take steps necessary to fulfill the policy goals expressed by the Legislature in Sections 710, 710.5, 710.7, and 711 of the Fish and Game Code, including identifying and securing adequate resources to enable the Department of Fish and Game to fulfill its mission. (c) Identify changes in organizational structure or statutory authorities that would enable the Department of Fish and Game and the state to more efficiently and effectively provide for the protection, conservation, and management of the state's fish and wildlife.