On September 4, 2015, Assembly Bill 96 was passed in the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee. According to Speaker of the Assembly, Toni G. Atkins, the law closes “loopholes that prevent the effective enforcement of existing California law prohibiting the sale of ivory.”

Members of the organization March for Elephants, many of whom are Oakland Zoo staffers, and their supporters marched on Saturday to celebrate the law’s passing as well as protest the ongoing ivory trade in China. The event was called Global March for Elephants – San Fransisco. Many other countries around the world held marches for the cause that same day. They were all organized by members of March for Elephants. Marchers at the San Francisco event said they hoped to end the poaching of elephants and rhinos in Africa. They also rallied for the passing of Senate Bill 716, which would ban the use of bullhooks on elephants in traveling shows and circuses in California.

On October 3, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed Senate Bill 716.