CA AB2607

Establishes an Office of the Ombudsperson within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, appointed by the Fish and Game Commission and operating independently with reporting to the commission president.

Authorizes the ombudsperson to work as a confidential intermediary to address complaints and resolve disputes with the department, investigate complaints, and make recommendations to the commission.

Empowers the office to clarify permit requirements, resolve regulatory conflicts, and propose policy and procedural changes when systemic issues are identified.

Exempts all information provided to the ombudsperson as part of complaints from public disclosure, including under the California Public Records Act.

Makes legislative findings that the confidentiality protections are constitutionally justified based on the need for the ombudsperson to fully examine complaints without public disclosure requirements.