BILL NUMBER: AB 1784INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Monning FEBRUARY 21, 2012 An act to add Section 4810 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to mountain lions, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1784, as introduced, Monning. Mountain lions. Proposition 117, an initiative measure approved by the electors at the June 5, 1990, primary election, enacted the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990. The act establishes that the mountain lion is a specially protected mammal under the laws of this state, and makes it unlawful to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell any mountain lion or any part or product thereof. The act establishes certain exemptions from that prohibition. The act prohibits the Legislature from changing the act, with specified exceptions, except by a 4/5 vote of the membership of both houses of the Legislature and then only if consistent with, and in furtherance of, the purposes of the act. This bill would authorize the Department of Fish and Game to authorize qualified individuals, educational institutions, governmental agencies, or nongovernmental organizations to conduct mountain lion research projects designed to meet specific goals and governed by a memorandum of understanding. The bill would find and declare that the amendments made by the bill are consistent with, and further the purposes of, the act. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute. Vote: 4/5. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 4810 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read: 4810. (a) The department may authorize qualified individuals, educational institutions, governmental agencies, or nongovernmental organizations to conduct scientific research of mountain lions. Authorized mountain lion research projects shall be designed to do the following: (1) Contribute to knowledge of natural wildlife ecosystems. (2) Following best practices, minimize disruptions in the lives and movements of mountain lions and other wildlife, as well as impacts to the habitat while maintaining the applicant's objectives. (3) Directly or indirectly support the sustainability and survival of mountain lion populations and healthy ecosystems. (4) Not include the intentional injury or killing of any mountain lion. (b) An authorized mountain lion research project shall be governed by a memorandum of understanding between the department and the authorized research entity that addresses the following issues: (1) Trapping and anesthetizing of the animals, collection of diagnostic samples, attaching or surgically implanting monitoring or recognition devices or markings, and providing veterinary care or euthanasia as required for the health, safety, and humane treatment of the animals. (2) Qualifications of onsite field supervisors necessary for carrying out authorized research procedures. (3) Annual and final progress reports. Reports shall be made available to the public upon request. (c) The department shall notify the public of an authorized mountain lion research project at least 30 days prior to its initiation, and upon request, shall make available to the public copies of the memorandum of understanding pursuant to subdivision (b). (d) Authorized mountain lion capture and handling procedures shall be consistent with the trapping restrictions imposed in Section 4809. Any mortality or injury to a mountain lion as a result of authorized research shall be handled consistent with the reporting and processing requirements imposed in Section 4807. (e) Authorization may be revoked at the discretion of either the department or the commission. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that the amendments made by this act are consistent with, and further the purposes of, the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990. SEC. 3. This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are: In order to allow the continuation of critical ongoing scientific research on mountain lions, a specially protected mammal, it is necessary that this act take effect immediately.