(a) Except as specified in subdivisions (b), (c), (d), and (e), it is unlawful to offer a prize or other inducement as a reward for the taking of a game bird, mammal, fish, reptile, or amphibian in an individual contest, tournament, or derby.

(b) The department may issue a permit to a person authorizing that person to offer a prize or other inducement as a reward for the taking of a game fish, as defined by the commission by regulation, if it finds that there would be no detriment to the resource. The permit is subject to regulations adopted by the commission. The application for the permit shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount determined by the department as necessary to cover the reasonable administrative costs incurred by the department in issuing the permit. However, the department may waive the permit fee if the contest, tournament, or derby is for persons who are under 16 years of age or have a physical or mental disability, and the primary purpose of the contest, tournament, or derby is to introduce those anglers to or educate them about fishing. All permits for which the fee is waived pursuant to this subdivision shall comply with all other requirements set forth in this section.

(c) This section does not apply to a person conducting what is generally known as a frog-jumping contest, or, in waters of the Pacific Ocean, what is generally known as a fish contest.

(d) This section does not apply to a person conducting an individual contest, tournament, or derby for the taking of a game bird or mammal, if the total value of all prizes or other inducements is less than five hundred dollars ($500) for the individual contest, tournament, or derby.

(e) (1) As used in this subdivision:

(A) “Event” means a competition event on lands managed by the department.

(B) “Prize compensation” includes prize or purse money, other prizes, goods, or other compensation.

(2) The department, for any event that awards prize compensation to competitors in gendered categories, shall require as a condition of a permit pursuant to this section that, for any participant level that receives prize compensation, the prize compensation for each gendered category be identical at each participant level. The department shall not approve a permit for an event that does not comply with this condition.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 276, Sec. 1. (AB 467) Effective January 1, 2020.)