AB 454: Migratory birds: California Migratory Bird Protection Act.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing federal law, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, provides for the protection of migratory birds, as specified. The federal act also authorizes states and territories of the United States to make and enforce laws or regulations that give further protection to migratory birds, their nests, and eggs. Existing law, the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, until January 20, 2025, made unlawful the taking or possession of any migratory nongame bird designated in the federal act before January 1, 2017, any additional migratory nongame bird that may be designated in the federal act after that date, or any part of those migratory nongame birds, except as provided. Existing law, as of January 1, 2026, repeals this provision.

This bill would, indefinitely, make unlawful the taking or possessing of any migratory bird, as designated in the federal act before January 1, 2025, any additional migratory birds that may be designated in the federal act after that date, or any part of those migratory birds, except as provided.

Existing law, operative January 20, 2025, makes it unlawful to take or possess any migratory nongame bird as designated in the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or any part of a migratory nongame bird, except as provided.

This bill would repeal this provision.

Under existing law, a violation of the Fish and Game Code is a crime. By narrowing the exception to a crime defined in existing law, the bill would expand the scope of a crime, thus imposing a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 6, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 365, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 6, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 11, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. September 4, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 58. Noes 17. Page 2915.).
5. September 3, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. September 3, 2025Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2428.).
7. July 1, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. June 30, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
9. June 16, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. June 16, 2025In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
11. June 10, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. May 28, 2025Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.