BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair AB 376 (Fong) Hearing Date: 08/15/2011 Amended: 05/19/2011 Consultant: Brendan McCarthy Policy Vote: NR&W 7-0 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: AB 376 generally bans the possession, sale, or distribution of shark fins. _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Fund Enforcement Unknown costs, potentially in the tens Special * of thousands per year * Fish and Game Preservation Fund. _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Under current law, the sale, purchase, or possession on a commercial fishing vessel of a shark fin that has been removed from a shark carcass is prohibited. Federal law similarly prohibits the "fining" of sharks. In addition, there are several other state laws limiting shark fishing. AB 376 prohibits the possession, sale, or distribution of shark fins in the state, with certain exceptions. Exceptions include possession of shark fins for permitted scientific activities and the legal take of sharks pursuant to a valid commercial or recreational fishing license. In addition, restaurants may possess and sell shark fins purchased before January 1, 2012 until January 1, 2013. The Department of Fish and Game indicates that it will incur costs to enforce the prohibition. The exact amount of such costs is unknown and will depend on the frequency with which violations of the bill occur and the complexity of the legal > (>) Page 1 cases that result. The Department indicates that costs could be in the tens of thousands per year.