Plain English Breakdown
Checked against official source text during the last sync.
California Migratory Bird Protection Act
This law makes it illegal forever in California to catch or keep migratory birds listed under federal rules, replacing a rule that was set to expire.
What This Bill Does
- Makes catching or keeping any protected migratory bird unlawful without an exception stated in the law.
- Includes all parts of these birds under the same protection as whole birds.
- Removes the old law that would have ended this protection on January 1, 2026.
- Updates the list of covered birds to include those added by federal rules after January 1, 2025.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who catch or keep migratory birds in California
- Local agencies that enforce state fish and game laws
Terms To Know
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- A federal law that lists which bird species are protected across the United States.
- Taking or possessing
- Catching, killing, holding, or owning a bird or any part of it.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law does not list the specific exceptions that allow people to keep these birds.
- No state money will be given to local agencies for costs caused by this new rule.