BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair

                                           2376 (Huffman)
          
          Hearing Date:  08/02/2010           Amended: 07/15/2010
          Consultant:  Brendan McCarthy   Policy Vote: NR&W 6-3
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          ____
          BILL SUMMARY: AB 2376 requires the Secretary of the Natural  
          Resources Agency to convene a committee to develop a strategic  
          plan for the Department of Fish and Game. The bill requires the  
          Governor or the committee to appoint a citizen taskforce and an  
          advisory group to further this effort.
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          ____
                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions         2010-11      2011-12       2012-13     Fund
           
          Staff support and expenses                    $300      Special  
          *                                             
          * Fish and Game Preservation Fund.
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          ____

          STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria for referral to the  
          Suspense File.

          The Department of Fish and Game has statutory responsibility for  
          managing and conserving the state's fish and wildlife, which are  
          held in trust for the people of California. The Department  
          regulates hunting and fishing, supports hunting and fishing  
          activities, regulates activities that may impact wildlife  
          habitat, and enforces various environmental laws and  
          regulations. The Fish and Game Commission is made up of members  
          appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The  
          Commission has certain responsibilities relating to hunting and  
          fishing and is authorized to develop general policies for the  
          Department.

          AB 2376 directs the Secretary of the Natural Resources Committee  
          to convene a committee to develop a strategic plan for the  
          Department and the Commission. Members of the committee include  
          the Secretary, the Director of Fish and Game, the president of  
          the Commission, the Chair of the Energy Commission, a  










          representative of the University of California, and  
          representatives of the federal Fish and Wildlife Service and the  
          National Marine Fisheries Service, if they choose to  
          participate.

          The bill lays out a series of issues to be considered as part of  
          the development of the strategic plan, including programmatic,  
          administrative, and fiscal issues.

          The bill requires the Governor or the committee to appoint a  
          "blue ribbon" citizen commission and a stakeholder advisory  
          group to assist in the development of the strategic plan.

          Staff estimates the cost to support the committee and the blue  
          ribbon commission will be about $300,000 primarily from the Fish  
          and Game Preservation Fund.