CA AB2179

Establishes administrative civil penalty procedures for Fish and Game Code violations, effective until January 1, 2018, allowing the department to impose penalties up to $10,000 per animal for commercial violations without requiring full administrative adjudication procedures.

Requires written notice of proposed penalties and grants violators the right to request a hearing before the department within 60 days, with opportunities for oral testimony and appeal to the director within 30 days of the department's decision.

Permits superior court review of civil penalty orders through petition for writ of mandate within 30 days of service, with courts exercising independent judgment on the evidence.

Eliminates temporary restrictions on Fish and Game Commission authority to revoke or suspend licenses and permits until regulations are adopted and approved, effective January 1, 2018.

Deposits all administrative penalties collected into the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and makes appeal records public after all appeals are final.