California Endangered Species Act: take prohibition: self-defense.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Vetoed
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill creates an exemption that allows a person to take (harm or kill) an endangered or threatened species when acting in self‑defense. It would affect anyone who might encounter protected wildlife, such as landowners, hunters, or outdoor workers, by giving them a legal defense in certain dangerous situations. The change aims to balance species protection with public safety concerns.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 0. Page 5520.) · May 28, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 3, 2026
• Judiciary Committee Hearing
  Judiciary · Jun 30, 2026
• Natural Resources and Water Committee Hearing
  Natural Resources and Water · Jun 23, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 6, 2026
• Judiciary
  Judiciary · Apr 21, 2026

History

1. Jun 1, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2. May 28, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 0.)
3. May 7, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
4. May 6, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 6).
5. Apr 22, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. Apr 20, 2026Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
7. Apr 16, 2026Read second time and amended.
8. Apr 15, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 14).
9. Apr 7, 2026Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
10. Apr 6, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.
11. Mar 23, 2026Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
12. Mar 19, 2026Referred to Coms. on W., P., & W. and JUD.

The 12 most recent of 15 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Heather Hadwick (R) · sponsor
• Dahle
• Gallagher
• Grove
• Hadwick

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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