Committee advances bill to let youth with life‑threatening illnesses hunt and fish under supervised program

Dr. Choi presented SB 1021 to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, describing a narrowly tailored program for resident youth with physician-certified life‑threatening illnesses to participate in supervised hunting and fishing. The bill directs the Fish and Game Commission to develop the program with nonprofit partners and outdoor leaders and to ensure activities follow science-based conservation principles and permitting requirements.

Tom Derby, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Field of Dreams, told the committee the organization has struggled to provide such experiences under California regulations and urged the state to create a framework that allows families to participate locally rather than traveling to other states. "We've had to go spend a phenomenal amount of money and take them to neighboring states to have such programs," Derby said.

Rick Travis, representing a coalition of anglers, hunters and conservationists, described committee amendments that would set a firm implementation date (01/01/2028), retain education requirements, require the department to account for program tag allocations and add wild pigs to eligible species. He also said the measure would include a legislative report on participation and costs and a five‑year oversight sunset.

No organized opposition spoke at the hearing; committee members signaled support and the measure was moved as amended to appropriations with the committee recording a 7–0 vote on the roll call.

SB 1021: moved to appropriations; committee amendments include implementation deadline and reporting requirements.