AB 892: Captive wild animals: direct contact: prohibition.

Official summary

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

Existing law prohibits the importation, transportation, or possession of specified wild animals into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit, known as a restricted species permit, issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, and only if certain requirements are met. Existing law exempts specified entities from this permit requirement under certain circumstances. Existing law requires the Fish and Game Commission, in cooperation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, to adopt regulations governing, among other things, the confinement of a wild animal possessed under a restricted species permit and the possession of all other wild animals. Existing law requires those regulations to be designed to, among other things, provide for the welfare of wild animals and the safety of the public.

This bill would prohibit a person from allowing any member of the public to come into direct contact, as defined, with a covered animal, as defined, except as provided. The bill would provide that any person who violates this provision is subject to a specified civil penalty for each violation, and that the restricted species permit for the covered animal is subject to immediate suspension or revocation by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bill would authorize a person whose permit is suspended or revoked to appeal the suspension or revocation to the commission by filing a written request for an appeal within 30 days of the suspension or revocation.

This bill would provide that the provisions of this bill are severable.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 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

1. February 2, 2026From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. January 31, 2026Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
3. January 12, 2026In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
4. January 8, 2026(Pending re-refer to Com. on A., E., S., & T.)
5. January 8, 2026Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 3717.)
6. January 6, 2026Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
7. January 5, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. Read second time and amended.
8. April 8, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
9. April 2, 2025Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
10. April 1, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. Read second time and amended.
11. March 10, 2025Referred to Coms. on W. P., & W. and A.,E.,S., & T.
12. February 20, 2025From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.