AB 928: Roosters: restrictions.
This bill would prohibit keeping more than 25 roosters in a movement-constrained enclosure, such as a tether or cage, after January 1, 2027. A person who violates this prohibition would face a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each infraction. Each day a rooster is kept in violation of this prohibition would count as a separate infraction. The bill would also define "rooster" and "enclosure" for the purposes of these provisions.
| Aug. 13, 2026 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Aug. 03, 2026 | In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Jun. 24, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jun. 22, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 2.) (June 22). Re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Jun. 10, 2026 | Re-referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and JUD. |
| Amended IN Senate June 02, 2026 |
| Amended IN Assembly June 02, 2025 |
| Amended IN Assembly April 09, 2025 |
| Amended IN Assembly March 18, 2025 |
| Introduced by Assembly Member Rogers |
February 19, 2025 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a)On and after January 1, 2027, a person shall not keep more than 25 roosters that are movement constrained through the use of an enclosure or tether.
(b)This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1)A person who keeps or raises roosters for purposes of food production if the person is subject to local, state, or federal inspection laws or regulations.
(2)A public or private school registered with the State Department of Education.
(3)A government-operated animal shelter.
(4)A nonprofit animal welfare organization, as defined in Section 6010.40 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(5)A 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), or Grange project, if the 4-H, FFA, or Grange has provided written approval for the project to the person keeping or raising the roosters.
(6)A person who meets all of the following criteria:
(A)Owns and breeds poultry for the purpose of lawful exhibition in accordance with accepted poultry raising practices and all laws and regulations governing exhibition.
(B)Within the preceding 10 years, has not been convicted for any cockfighting offense pursuant to Section 597b of the Penal Code or Section 2156 of Title 7 of the United States Code, or any other cockfighting offense of any state.
(C)Does not possess more than 25 gamefowl roosters.
(c)(1)A person who violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty, not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each violation, that shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the people of the State of California by the Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a city prosecutor in this state in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(2)If the civil action is brought by the Attorney General, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered, and one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the state’s General Fund. If the civil action is brought by a county counsel, the entire amount of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the civil action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, one-half of the penalty shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered, and one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered.
(3)Each day a rooster is kept in violation of this part shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.
(d)This part does not prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing ordinances on the keeping of roosters that are more restrictive than the requirements set forth in this part.
(e)This section does not limit or affect the application or enforcement of any other law that protects animals, including, but not limited to, Sections 597, 597b, 597c, 597i, 597j, and 599aa of the Penal Code.
(f)This section does not limit or authorize any act or omission that violates Section 597, 597b, 597c, 597i, 597j, or 599aa of the Penal Code, or any other local, state, or federal law that protects animals.
(g)For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)“Enclosure” means a structure used for confinement, including a wire cage or item traditionally used for another purpose such as a water tank or plastic barrel that meets both of the following criteria:
(A)Is used to provide long-term housing for one adult rooster.
(B)Prevents physical contact with other roosters.
(2)“Gamefowl rooster” means a rooster of a breed of domestic fowl chiefly developed or maintained for the purpose of producing fighting cocks, including, but not limited to, all of the following breeds:
(A)American Gamefowl.
(B)Asil.
(C)Other breeds or crossbreeds of rooster intended or used for fighting.
(3)“Property” means a parcel, as defined in Section 9021 of the Streets and Highways Code, or a combination of parcels operated as one unit.
(4)“Rooster” means a male chicken that meets all of the following criteria:
(A)Is six months of age or older.
(B)Has full adult plumage.
(C)Is capable of crowing.
(D)Is not a bantam chicken.
SEC. 2.
Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 122340) is added to Part 6 of Division 105 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:CHAPTER 8.5. Roosters
122340.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:122341.
On and after January 1, 2028, a person shall not keep more than 25 roosters that are movement constrained through the use of an enclosure or tether.122342.
This chapter does not apply to any of the following:122343.
(a) Before a civil action is brought pursuant to subdivision (b), where public safety is not at risk, a written notice of violation shall be provided granting a minimum of 14 days to correct the violation and to rehome or relinquish the roosters.122344.
(a) This chapter does not prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing ordinances on the keeping of roosters that are more restrictive than the requirements set forth in this part.