Hunting licenses: information on firearms.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis

AB 1316 would require California hunting license purchasers to receive information on firearm safety, child access prevention, liability, basic firearm laws, and legal transfer/rel

In committee: Held under submission.

#huntinglicenses #informationonfirearms

Purpose and high-level goal

AB 1316 would require the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to ensure that, beginning July 1, 2027, every person who purchases a hunting license receives information on specified firearm-related topics. The bill directs CDFW to develop or adopt regulations in coordination with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to implement this information requirement and to potentially add additional topics.

Key provisions

Legislative addition: A new Section 3031.1 to the Fish and Game Code.

Information requirement (effective July 1, 2027): For every hunting license purchaser, CDFW must ensure at minimum that they receive information on:

The safe storage of firearms.
California’s child access prevention laws.
Liability for parents and guardians who should have known their child could access a firearm at home.
Basic California firearm laws.
How to legally transfer or relinquish a firearm.

Regulatory authority: CDFW, in cooperation with DOJ, may promulgate regulations to implement the requirement and may include additional information to be provided with a hunting license.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: Hunters who purchase hunting licenses (including annual and potential lifetime license purchasers).

State agencies involved: California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Justice.

Broader impact: Builds firearm-safety and legal knowledge awareness among hunters and guardians.

Implementation, timeline, and status

Effective date for the information requirement: July 1, 2027.

Regulatory pathway: The bill authorizes CDFW and DOJ to promulgate regulations to implement the requirement.

Legislative status: As of the latest available information, AB 1316 is in committee and was “Held under submission” in the Assembly (Water, Parks and Wildlife) after proceeding through prior committee stages. Earlier actions include adoption of the bill and referral to the Appropriations Committee.

Fiscal considerations: The digest indicates no explicit appropriation in the bill, but regulatory development and implementation could entail non-substantive costs (printing/packaging of information, regulatory processes, and dissemination).

Potential impact and considerations

Public safety and education: By mandating firearm-related information with hunting licenses, the bill aims to improve hunters’ knowledge of safe storage, legal responsibilities, and how to handle firearms legally.

Administrative considerations: Implementing the information package will require updates to licensing materials, possible changes to licensing workflows, and coordination with DOJ for content and regulations.

Scope: The requirement applies to all hunting-license purchases, potentially including lifetime licenses, depending on interpretation of “every person who purchases a hunting license.”

This summary captures the bill’s purpose, substantive provisions, affected parties, and key procedural/timeline aspects based on the current legislative text and status.

Bill