AB 1056: Gill nets: permits. - California

10/13/25 - Chaptered → AB1056 · 3 edits

MINOR

No substantive policy changes occurred between these two versions. The diff reflects a transition from a formally authenticated chaptered document to a web-based bill text display, with the addition of website navigation elements, search tools, and metadata. The actual statutory language of Section 8681.5 remains identical.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was reformatted from an authenticated electronic legal document (with page numbers, chapter headers, and formal state markings) to a web page layout with navigation menus, search bars, and version history links.

Website interface elements were added including navigation links (home, FAQ, feedback, sitemap, login), a quick search box, bill information panels, and a 'Digest Key' section showing vote type (MAJORITY), appropriation (NO), fiscal committee (YES), and local program (NO).

Formal document elements were removed including the 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL' header, page numbers, and chapter reference footers.

05/01/25 - Amended Assembly → 09/15/25 - Enrolled · 3 edits · Sep 15, 2025

MINOR

The enrolled version of AB 1056 is significantly less restrictive than the amended assembly version. Three key provisions were removed: (1) the repeal of Section 8681.7, which would have eliminated the ability to transfer a gill net permit upon the permitholder's disability or death; (2) a requirement that at least 1,000 pounds of halibut or white seabass be landed between 2020 and 2024 as a condition for permit renewal; and (3) authority for the Fish and Game Commission to adopt regulations eliminating the pre-2027 transfer option. The core structure remains: no new permits, existing permits renewable, and transfers restricted to family members only after January 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from amending Section 8681.5 AND repealing Section 8681.7 of the Fish and Game Code to only amending Section 8681.5. The disability/death transfer provision in Section 8681.7 is no longer affected by this bill.

SCOPE

The repeal of Fish and Game Code Section 8681.7 was removed from the bill. This means the existing law allowing transfer of a gill net or trammel net permit to another qualified individual upon the disability or death of the original permitholder remains in effect, rather than being eliminated as the amended assembly version proposed.

REQUIREMENT

A renewal condition requiring at least 1,000 pounds of California halibut or 1,000 pounds of white seabass to have been landed under the permit between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024 was removed. Permits can now be renewed without meeting this specific catch threshold.

ENFORCEMENT

The provision authorizing the Fish and Game Commission to adopt regulations eliminating the pre-2027 transfer authority (the ability to transfer a permit to any qualified person) was removed, meaning that transfer option remains available until January 1, 2027 without regulatory elimination.

03/17/25 - Amended Assembly → 05/01/25 - Amended Assembly · 4 edits · May 1, 2025

MODERATE

The May 1 amendment removes the provision amending Section 8685.5 (which prohibited gill nets for salmon, steelhead, or striped bass) and significantly tightens permit transfer rules. Death and disability transfer provisions are eliminated entirely, and after January 1, 2027, permits can only be transferred one time to a family member before becoming permanently nontransferable. The fiscal committee designation was also changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now carries fiscal implications.

Scope change

The bill no longer amends Section 8685.5 of the Fish and Game Code, narrowing its scope to only Sections 8681.5 (permit issuance, renewal, and transfer) and 8681.7 (repeal of appeal provision).

SCOPE

The amendment to Section 8685.5, which prohibited gill nets from being used to take salmon, steelhead, or striped bass, was removed entirely from the bill.

ELIGIBILITY

Provisions allowing transfer of a gill or trammel net permit upon the death or disability of the permitholder were eliminated. Previously, an estate could transfer a permit within one year of the holder's death, and a disabled active participant could transfer their permit.

TIMELINE

A new two-phase transfer structure was created: until January 1, 2027, permits may be transferred to any qualified person (with 15-of-20-year fishing evidence); on and after January 1, 2027, permits may only be transferred one time to a family member, after which the permit becomes permanently nontransferable.

FISCAL

The fiscal committee designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' indicating the bill now requires fiscal committee review due to potential fiscal impact.

09/15/25 - Enrolled → 10/13/25 - Chaptered · 2 edits · Oct 13, 2025

MINOR

This diff reflects the transition of AB 1056 from its enrolled bill form to its final chaptered law form after gubernatorial approval on October 13, 2025. The substantive legal text amending Section 8681.5 of the Fish and Game Code is unchanged between the two versions. All differences are formatting and publication-related: removal of Assembly and Senate passage headers, addition of the chapter number (720), approval date, and Secretary of State authentication language.

TECHNICAL

Bill converted from enrolled format to chaptered law format: removed Assembly/Senate passage dates and Governor's receipt line; added chapter number 720, approval date (October 13, 2025), and 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL' header.

Page numbers and internal formatting adjusted to match the official published law layout (page references changed from 96 to 95).

02/20/25 - Introduced → 03/17/25 - Amended Assembly · 7 edits · Mar 17, 2025

MODERATE

AB 1056 was dramatically expanded from a minor technical fix to a major overhaul of California's gill net and trammel net permit system. The amended bill prohibits the Department of Fish and Wildlife from issuing any new gill net or trammel net permits, requires permit holders to have landed at least 1,000 pounds of halibut or white seabass between 2020 and 2024 to be eligible for renewal, narrows transfer rights, and repeals the appeal process for denied renewals. This effectively phases out the gill net and trammel net fishery by preventing new entrants while allowing existing permit holders a limited path to continue.

SCOPE

The bill now amends Section 8681.5 and repeals Section 8681.7 of the Fish and Game Code in addition to the original technical fix to Section 8685.5.

REQUIREMENT

The department is prohibited from issuing any new gill net or trammel net permits, effectively closing the fishery to new entrants.

ELIGIBILITY

A permit holder must have landed at least 1,000 pounds of California halibut or 1,000 pounds of white seabass under the permit between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024 to be eligible for renewal.

Permit transfer rights are narrowed: a person must have taken and landed fish for commercial purposes in at least 15 of the preceding 20 years to transfer their permit. The commission is also authorized to adopt regulations that would eliminate this transfer authority entirely.

ENFORCEMENT

Section 8681.7 is repealed, eliminating the right of a person denied renewal to appeal to the Fish and Game Commission on grounds of illness or loss of vessel.

TIMELINE

If a permit holder dies, their estate must initiate a transfer within one year of the date of death or the permit reverts to the department.

FISCAL

Fiscal committee review is now required (changed from 'no' to 'yes'), indicating the amendment has fiscal implications.

Gill nets: permits.

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