AB 1021

Current law authorizes a person who owns, leases, or controls land on which certain wild animals cause damage to crops or livestock to apply for wildlife damage abatement assistance and wildlife damage claim payments. A person who receives abatement assistance or claim payments must allow hunting of the type of wild animals causing the wildlife damage on that land. This bill provides that a person seeking abatement assistance or claim payments for damage caused by elk is not required to allow hunting of elk on the land where the damage occurred.

Under current law, upon receiving notice that a wild animal is causing damage to property, the Department of Natural Resources must investigate the complaint and determine whether or not to authorize removal. DNR may remove or authorize removal of the wild animal if it finds that the wild animal or the structure is causing damage on the property. The bill requires DNR to remove elk causing damage to property no later than 48 hours after receiving notice of the damage.

Under the bill, if DNR establishes an elk advisory committee that includes external partner groups or members of the public, DNR must ensure that the committee has a member from a partner group or the general public that represents the interests of persons experiencing elk damage on agricultural lands.