Sen. Cortese's Statement on SB 1226 - Right to Hunt in Navigable Waters - Signed Into Law by Governor Newsom

SAN JOSE, CA – Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) issued the following statement on his Senate Bill 1226 (SB 1226) being signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. 

“SB 1226 reinforces the constitutional right of Californians to access navigable waterways for outdoor recreation like hunting and fishing. Any person in California lawfully accessing navigable floodwaters, as promised by our state’s Constitution, can now do so without the threat of an unwarranted trespassing charge,” said Senator Cortese. “It strikes the right balance between respecting private property and ensuring Californians’ rights to enjoy our natural resources.”

“This new law, consistent with a number of State Attorney General Opinions and court cases, clarifies that waterfowl hunters have a right to access and use navigable waters so long as they do not illegally trespass,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of Advocacy for California Waterfowl Association. “Our Association applauds Senator Cortese for authoring this important bill that will help ensure that hunters legally exercising their rights are not wrongly cited and dragged through the lengthy and expensive court process.”

SB 1226 clarifies in the law the public’s right to use navigable waters for hunting, fishing, and other public purposes, in line with the California Constitution.

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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