AB 1254, a measure which makes several important changes to the Fish and Game Code introduced by Assembly Member Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) and sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), has been signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

AB 1254:

• The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is now authorized to offer special hunting opportunities to qualified hunter education instructors for recruitment and retention purposes;

California suffers from a shortage of hunter education instructors having lost some 500 instructors over the last two decades, dropping from approximately 1300 down to a low around 800. This created a situation in some of the more remote areas of the State, making it difficult for people to find hunter education classes near their homes. AB 1254 will help retain those instructors who volunteer their time, and increase the number of hunter education instructors by requiring DFG to offer special hunting opportunities to qualified individuals.

• allows DFG to suspend or seek reimbursement of Fish and Game Code violation fine revenue improperly expended by county governments;

Some county governments have used Fish and Game Code violation monies to support programs unrelated to hunting, fishing and conservation activities, which is of course is in contravention to the mandate of the State Fish & Game Code. By providing the DFG with the power to recoup these misspent F&G fine revenues AB 1254 it will enhance auditing capabilities. In the past, the DFG had no way of ensuring that county governments properly deposit Fish & Game fine revenue into the County Fish & Wildlife Propagation Fund. AB 1254 will help hold county governments accountable so that fine monies are expended in accordance with the Fish and Game Code.

• allows the California Fish and Game Commission to adjust its meeting schedule to address funding shortfalls.

Captain Roy Griffith, State Hunter Education Program Administrator stated "I would like to commend COHA for their efforts in getting AB 1254 signed into law, this is a huge step forward in recognizing the thousands of hours California's volunteer hunter education instructors dedicate each year in passing on our hunting heritage. AB 1254 will assist the DFG's efforts to recruit new instructors which are needed to assure hunter education classes are available in communities throughout California."

Hunter education instructors are vitally important to hunter recruitment efforts in California, teaching approximately 30,000 students every year.

California Department of Fish & Game have introduced on-line classes, home study classes in an attempt to make classes more readily avaialble, and has classes posted on their website to aid residents to find a class close enough to them that it is not a large inconvenience. Please check here for more information on class availability.