California lawmakers have rejected a proposal that would have required the state to study the possibility of reintroducing grizzly bears, effectively ending the measure for the current legislative session.
The Assembly Appropriations Committee voted Thursday against Senate Bill 1305, which called for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to evaluate whether grizzlies could be returned to the state.
The proposal drew support from Native American advocates and conservationists, who argued that restoring the species could help rebuild ecological balance and reconnect California with an important part of its natural history.
The California grizzly also holds symbolic significance as the animal depicted on the state's flag, despite being eradicated in California by the 1920s.
According to the report, Assembly member Buffy Wicks announced the committee's decision without public testimony or discussion, as is customary for the panel.
Supporters also faced the challenge of securing funding for the proposed study, while experts noted that any future reintroduction effort would face major obstacles involving habitat availability, land use and genetic connectivity.
Related Tweet:
The Plan to Reintroduce Grizzly Bears to California Dies Quietly https://t.co/ETEZiXOgkO
— Outdoor Life (@outdoorlife) August 14, 2026
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