The California State Senate and Assembly passed Senate Bill 880, which repeals the 37-year ban on the “importation or sale of kangaroo parts or products in California.” The ban included the sale of kangaroo leather soccer shoes, which is legal in the other 49 states.
“Were glad that NSGA members in California will be back on a level playing field,” said NSGA President Jim Faltinek. “This was clearly a fairness issue. The existing law put California sporting goods retailers at a disadvantage. Under the current law, Californians wishing to wear these shoes would have to purchase them out of state.
“We urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the bill quickly,” Faltinek added. If the Governor doesnt sign or veto the bill by October 12, it would automatically become law.
Both houses of the California legislature showed strong support for the bill. The Senate voted 27-8 in favor of the bill, and the Assembly was 44-27 in favor. The bill repeals penalties for violation of the ban until January 1, 2011.
The bill also contains a mechanism to monitor and control the number of kangaroos lawfully harvested during the life of the bill. Should this provision be violated, the ban would go back into effect.
“While NSGA generally does not involve itself in state issues, it was important to support this bill on behalf of our members,” Faltinek said. “True competition can only take place when all of the competitors are playing by the same rules. This bill does that.”
