Calfornia Fish and Game Commission

Fish and Game Commission
Privacy Policy

On January 1, 2001, Government Code section 11019.9 became effective. The code requires all departments and agencies of the State of California, to enact and maintain a permanent privacy policy, in adherence with the Information Practices Act of 1977 (Civil Code section 1798 et seq.). In response to the requirement, the Fish and Game Commission (Commission) sets forth the following privacy policy:

(a) Personally identifiable information may only be obtained through lawful means. Personally identifiable information includes, but is not limited to, information that is maintained by the Commission, that identifies or describes an individual, including, his or her name, social security number, physical description, home address, home telephone number, education, financial matters, and medical or employment history. Specifically, it includes information collected about individuals on license and permit appeal applications, maintained on databases used to track department activities and kept in employee's personnel files. (Civil Code §1798.3(a))

(b) The purposes for which personally identifiable data is collected shall be specified at or prior to the time of collection, and any subsequent use of the data shall be limited to and consistent with the fulfillment of those purposes previously specified. At the time standard forms collecting personal information are revised, the purpose for which that information is being collected shall be specified on the form.

(c) Personal data may not be disclosed, made available, or otherwise used by the Commission for purposes other than those specified, except with the consent of the subject of the data, or as required by law or regulation. Civil Code §1798.24 contains a list of exceptions to the overall prohibition on disclosure of personal information. Some of these exceptions include requests made pursuant to the Public Records Act, a search warrant or subpoena, or to the individual to whom the information pertains. For a complete list of circumstances where disclosure is permitted, please contact the person responsible for the implementation of and adherence to this privacy policy specified below.

(d) Personal data collected shall be relevant to the purpose for which it is needed. The Commission shall maintain in its records only personal information which is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the agency required or authorized by the California Constitution, statute or mandated by the federal government. (Civil Code §1798.14)

(e) The general means by which personal data is protected against loss, unauthorized access, use, modification, or disclosure shall be posted, unless the disclosure of those general means would compromise legitimate agency objectives or law enforcement purposes.

The Commission will implement the privacy policy through the following:

  • Prominently post the policy in its office and on the Commission website at www.fgc.ca.gov;
  • Distribute the policy to each of its employees and contractors who have access to personal data. Pursuant to Civil Code § 1798.19, when the Commission provides by contract for the operation or maintenance of records containing personal information to accomplish an agency function, it shall cause, consistent with its authority, the requirements of Civil Code §1798 to be applied to those records;
  • Comply with the Information Practices Act (Civil Code Section 1798 et seq); Government Code section 11015.5; and all other laws pertaining to information privacy. For additional information regarding the Commission's compliance with the Information Practice Act, and the Public Records Act, please see the Fish and Game Operations Manual, Personnel, Safety and Training sections 12780-12782 (July 1995); and sections 12783-12798 ( January 1989);
  • Commission employees shall use appropriate means to successfully implement and adhere to this privacy policy.
  • The position in DFG person responsible for the implementation of and adherence to this privacy policy is Commission Counsel, William Cunningham, Attorney General's Office, at (916) 324-4913.