BILL NUMBER: AB 1354	CHAPTERED  09/25/03

	CHAPTER  514
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 25, 2003
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 24, 2003
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 2, 2003
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 27, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 18, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 2, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 19, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 22, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Berg
   (Coauthor:  Senator Chesbro)

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2003

   An act to add Article 12 (commencing with Section 8125) to Chapter
1 of Part 3 of Division 6 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to
fish, and making an appropriation therefor.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1354, Berg.  Commercial Fisheries Capacity Reduction Account.
   Existing law states the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation establishing a comprehensive program to allow California
groundfish fishermen to participate in any federally established
buy-back program for the Pacific groundfish fishery.
   This bill would establish the Commercial Fisheries Capacity
Reduction Account in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, and would
require the Fish and Game Commission to establish a capacity
reduction fee on the taking of certain species of fish and shellfish
to be used to repay loans made to California fishermen by the federal
government under the buy-back program.  The bill would authorize the
commission to establish, by regulation, additional program elements
necessary to conform state law to federal law, in order to allow
California groundfish fishermen to participate fully in the buy-back
program.
   Existing law continuously appropriates money in the Fish and Game
Preservation Fund to the commission to pay all necessary expenses
incurred in carrying out the Fish and Game Code, and to pay the
compensation and expenses of the commissioners and employees of the
commission.  Existing law provides that all money collected under the
code, except as otherwise provided, is deposited in the fund.
   By imposing a new duty on the commission, and increasing revenues
deposited in the fund, the bill would make an appropriation.
   Appropriation:  yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Article 12 (commencing with Section 8125) is added to
Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 6 of the Fish and Game Code, to read:


      Article 12.  Commercial Fisheries Capacity Reduction Program

   8125.  There is hereby established the Commercial Fisheries
Capacity Reduction Account in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund.
Fees collected pursuant to Section 8126 shall be deposited into the
account.  Money in the account shall be used to repay the California
fishermen's share of any federal loans used in the federal West Coast
Groundfish Fishery Capacity Reduction Program (Sec. 212, P.L.
107-206).  The commission may establish, by regulation, any
additional program elements necessary to conform state law to federal
law, in order to allow California groundfish fishermen to fully
participate in the federally established buy-back program for the
Pacific groundfish fishery.
   8126.  The commission shall establish a capacity reduction fee on
the taking of certain species of fish and shellfish, consistent with
the West Coast Groundfish Fishery Capacity Reduction Program.  In
establishing the fee, the commission shall also consider the
administrative cost associated with collecting these fees.