Proposed Statewide Fur Ban Inches Forward in CaliforniaA bill first introduced in December in the state Assembly has cleared its first committee hearing and now moves to the Judiciary Committee.

[Collection]LOS ANGELES — A bill that aims to ban the sale and production of fur products statewide passed its first committee hearing Tuesday in what, if signed into law, would make California the first U.S. state to enact such a sweeping measure. Assembly Bill 44 passed 10 to 4 in the Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife and now moves to the Judiciary Committee for a date to be determined. The bill’s author, Assembly member Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), said last week at a press conference that “there is no such thing as cruelty-free fur,” also enlisting actress Shannon Elizabeth to join her in support of the bill. The bill in its current form would eliminate the sale of fur products, such as bags, shoes, hats and jewelry, and also ban their manufacturing in California. Used fur and fur for religious purposes do not fall under the ban. Those selling used products will be required to keep records of each sale or trade. First-time offenders would be fined $500, with repeat violation fines continuing to increase to as high as $1,000. AB44 is sponsored by the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, Animal Hope in Legislation and the Humane Society of the U.S. The proposed legislation would create a

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