California · 2025–26 Regular Session · Assembly Bill
AB 1038: Bears: hunting: use of dogs.
Did not advance Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
- Did not advance
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
AB 1038 is a assembly bill introduced in the California Assembly on February 20, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Bears: hunting: use of dogs. Primary sponsor: Heather Hadwick (R). Most recent recorded action (February 2, 2026): From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.
Existing law delegates to the Fish and Game Commission the power to regulate the taking or possession of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and reptiles in accordance with prescribed laws. Existing law authorizes the commission to establish, extend, shorten, or abolish open seasons and closed seasons for the taking of game mammals, including bears. Existing law makes it unlawful to take any bear with a firearm, trap, or bow and arrow without first procuring a tag authorizing the taking of that bear, as specified.
Existing law makes it unlawful to permit or allow a dog to pursue a bear at any time. Existing law establishes various exceptions to that prohibition including the use of dogs to pursue a bear pursuant to a depredation permit if certain conditions are met.
This bill would require the commission to establish seasons during which a person would be authorized to allow dogs to pursue a bear if the person does not injure or kill the bear or allow the bear to be injured or killed while engaging in the activity, as specified.
The bill, after the Department of Fish and Wildlife finalizes the update to its 1998 Bear Management Plan, would authorize the commission to establish a bear hunting season during which a person, pursuant to a bear tag, would be authorized to allow dogs to pursue a bear in any area determined by the commission.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather Hadwick | Primary sponsor | Republican | Assembly | 1 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
- Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
- In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
- Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
- From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. Read second time and amended.
- Referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
- From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
- Read first time. To print.