AB-892 • 2026

Captive wild animals: direct contact: prohibition.

Agriculture

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Schultz
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide specific details about the exact penalties for violations or the process of appeals beyond mentioning that they exist.

Ban on Public Contact with Captive Wild Animals

AB-892 prohibits allowing members of the public to come into direct contact with certain captive wild animals, except for specific individuals and facilities.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits a person from allowing any member of the public to come into direct contact with specified captive wild animals.
Specifies that this prohibition does not apply to direct contact between those animals and certain individuals or at specified facilities.
Imposes civil penalties on those who violate this provision.
Allows for the suspension or revocation of restricted species permits if someone breaks the rules.
Gives permit holders a chance to appeal decisions about their permits.

Who It Names or Affects

People who own or manage facilities with captive wild animals.
The general public visiting places where these animals are kept.
Certain individuals allowed direct contact under specific conditions.

Terms To Know

Restricted Species Permit: A special permit needed to keep certain types of wild animals in captivity.
Covered Animal: Specific wild animals that the law applies to, which are not allowed for public contact.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone appeals a permit suspension or revocation.
It is unclear how this will affect existing facilities and their operations.
The exact penalties for breaking the rules are not detailed in the summary.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2026-01-12 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
(Pending re-refer to Com. on A., E., S., & T.)
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 3717.)
2026-01-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
2026-01-05 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-04-02 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
2025-04-01 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on W. P., & W. and A.,E.,S., & T.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 892, as amended, Schultz.
Captive wild animals: direct contact: prohibition.
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
contact, as defined,
with
specified animals held in captivity. The bill would provide that this prohibition does not apply to direct contact between those animals
and certain individuals or direct contact at specified facilities. A person who violates this prohibition would not be subject to criminal penalty but would be subject to certain civil penalties and any restricted species permit for the animal would be subject to immediate suspension or revocation by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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