California lawmakers reject grizzly bear reintroduction bill

The California Assembly Appropriations Committee has rejected Senate Bill 1305, also known as the California Grizzly Restoration Act. The legislation would have required the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a roadmap to evaluate the feasibility and conditions under which grizzly bears could be reintroduced to the state.

The bill, authored by Democratic Senator Laura Richardson, received support from several Native American tribes and environmental groups who argued that reintroduction would help restore the state’s degraded ecosystem. However, the measure faced significant opposition from ranchers, hunting associations, and rural communities. Opponents expressed concerns that the presence of another apex predator would exacerbate existing conflicts with mountain lions, wolves, and black bears, potentially threatening livestock and public safety.

The decision to spike the bill occurred during the committee’s rapid-fire process, with no public testimony or formal discussion held before the announcement. Because the bill failed to pass the committee, it cannot move to a full vote during the current legislative session.