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.