Bill Would Chart Path to Reintroduce Grizzlies in CA
Proposal would make it the policy of the state to reintroduce the grizzly bear.
While in its historic range, the Grizzly Bear has not been seen in California since 1924.
SACRAMENTO — State Senator Laura Richardson (Democrat, San Pedro) has introduced a bill, SB-1305, that would direct the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to develop a “roadmap” for reintroducing grizzly bears into California.
Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) historically inhabited most non-desert parts of California. The text of SB 1305 describes the grizzly bear as a “keystone species” with significant ecological influence and cultural significance to indigenous peoples. The bears were systematically exterminated beginning in the 19th Century and have not been seen in California, aside from on the state flag, since 1924.
The proposed legislation follows the release in April, 2025 of a study by the California Grizzly Alliance that concluded “there are no insurmountable biological, ecological, economic, legal, or policy obstacles” to bringing grizzlies back to California. The study’s authors suggested that bears from the northern Rockies or Yellowstone region could be relocated to habitats in the Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges, and Transverse Ranges.
If adopted, the proposed legislation would make it “the policy of the state to restore the grizzly bear” to California and direct CDFW to develop a plan for doing so by June 30, 2028. The plan would be required to include: ecological studies; identification of suitable habitats; consultations with Native tribes, local governments, residents, and landowners; bear management plans; and cost estimates. Actual reintroduction of grizzly bears would be prohibited, however, until all of the required elements and procedures to minimize risks to human life and property are in place.
District 1 Assemblymember Heather Hadwick criticized the proposal to reintroduce grizzly bears in a newsletter emailed to constituents, calling the proposal “reckless.” She said, “California is not adequately managing the wildlife we have,” and the bill “does not fully grapple with the reality of communities coexisting with a large apex predator.” Hadwick encouraged citizens to express their views on the matter to their legislators and the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.