The California Assembly Appropriations Committee voted on August 13, 2026 to reject Senate Bill 1305, ending the legislature's latest effort to mandate a state‑wide study of grizzly bear reintroduction. The measure would have required the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a roadmap evaluating the feasibility of bringing the species back to the state.
Senator Laura Richardson was the chief proponent of the bill, arguing that a formal assessment was needed to determine whether reintroducing grizzlies could be viable and advisable. Under the proposed legislation, the wildlife agency would have been tasked with outlining conditions, potential habitats, and any necessary management strategies.
The committee's decision means the department will not be compelled to begin such a study at this time. Lawmakers did not provide a detailed explanation for the vote, but the rejection halts the legislative push for a structured feasibility analysis.
California has been without native grizzly bears for more than a hundred years, since the last known individuals disappeared from the Sierra Nevada foothills in the early 20th century. In recent years, a series of proposals have surfaced seeking to explore the possibility of reintroducing the iconic animal, citing ecological, cultural, and tourism considerations. Senate Bill 1305 represented the most concrete step toward an official state inquiry.
The defeat of the bill leaves the question of grizzly reintroduction unresolved, with future efforts likely to depend on new legislative initiatives or alternative avenues for study. Stakeholders who favor a return of the species will need to seek other mechanisms to assess the potential impacts and requirements, while opponents may view the vote as a reaffirmation of the status quo.
As the debate continues, California's wildlife policy remains focused on existing species and habitats, with the Department of Fish and Wildlife continuing its current conservation programs without a mandated grizzly feasibility roadmap.