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SB 1305

Wildlife: bears.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Catherine Blakespear and 4 co-sponsors

Establishes a multi-year plan to assess feasibility, impacts, and governance for possible grizzly bear reintroduction in California, with public roadmaps and tribal involvement.

From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 2.) (June 30).
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Bill Summary · SB 1305

SB 1305 (California Grizzly Restoration Recovery Assessment Act)

Overview
- Purpose: To study and plan for the possible reintroduction of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in California, including a publicly available roadmap, scientific assessments, tribal consultation, and a framework for long-term management and stewardship. The bill would not authorize reintroduction until specified scientific, administrative, and community processes are completed.

Key Provisions
- Scope and definitions
- Grizzly bear is excluded from current “game mammal” and bear-taking prohibitions, meaning existing restrictions on taking bears do not apply to grizzly bears.
- Adds new chapter and roadmap requirements focused specifically on grizzly bear reintroduction.

  • Roadmap for reintroduction (Sections 4764 and Chapter 9.5)

    • The Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) must develop and publicly publish a comprehensive roadmap evaluating the feasibility and advisability of reintroducing grizzly bears in California.
    • Roadmap components must include:
    • Scientific assessment: habitat suitability, population modeling, long-term viability, ecological impacts.
    • Tribal consultation: engagement with California Native American tribes, prioritizing those in proposed areas.
    • Independent peer review by qualified experts and institutions (including UC).
    • Cultural framework: incorporating tribal values and opportunities for tribal participation.
    • Locations and land ownership: identifying relocation areas with ecological suitability and conflict risk assessment.
    • Management procedures: translocation logistics, post-release monitoring, conflict prevention/response, and coexistence standards.
    • Cost estimates and funding needs; assessment of potential benefits and economic impacts (agriculture, forestry, tourism, recreation).
    • Proposed regulations governing taking and management, aligned with state and federal wildlife law.
    • The roadmap must also identify source populations, genetic considerations, and governance structures.

  • Timeline and reporting

    • By June 30, 2028 and by 2030, the department must submit the roadmap to the Legislature’s budget and policy committees, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the Fish and Game Commission. The roadmap must be publicly available on the department’s website.

  • Conditions for reintroduction

    • Reintroduction cannot occur until:
    • Scientific determinations confirm biological and ecological viability of a self-sustaining population.
    • Completion of the roadmap and its findings.
    • Identification of feasible reintroduction areas with stakeholder support.
    • Substantial tribal consultation and community engagement.

  • Funding and authority

    • The bill encourages sustainable funding to implement the act and allows the department to seek funds from public or private sources to administer the chapter.

Background and Rationale
- The bill frames grizzly bears as a keystone species with broad ecological and cultural importance in California. It emphasizes consulting with tribes, aligning with state biodiversity and climate resilience goals, and coordinating with universities and local communities.

Impact
- The bill would initiate a structured, multi-year effort to evaluate whether and how grizzly bears could be reintroduced, including potential ecological benefits, economic considerations, and human-wildlife coexistence strategies. It does not authorize immediate reintroduction but sets the process and criteria that must be satisfied before any such action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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