(a) An accidental take of a candidate, threatened, or endangered species resulting from an act by a person acting as a farmer or rancher, a bona fide employee of a farmer or rancher, or an individual otherwise contracted by a farmer or rancher that occurs on a farm or a ranch in the course of otherwise lawful routine and ongoing agricultural activities is not prohibited by this chapter.

(b) (1) When an accidental take is known to occur under subdivision (a), the person shall report the take to the department within 10 days.

Terms Used In California Fish and Game Code 2087

(2) The department shall conduct outreach to the extent feasible using existing channels to raise awareness of this reporting requirement within the agricultural community.

(c) For purposes of this section, “accidental” means unintended or unforeseen.

(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 447, Sec. 1. (AB 606) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2029, by its own provisions.)