BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 425 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 425 (Atkins) As Amended July 2, 2013 Majority vote ----------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |73-0 |(May 23, 2013) |SENATE: |35-2 |(September 3, | | | | | | |2013) | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: E.S. & T.M. SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), no later than February 1, 2014, to determine a leach rate for copper-based antifouling paint used on recreational vessels and make recommendations for appropriate mitigation measures that may be implemented to protect aquatic environments from the effects of exposure to that paint if it is registered as a pesticide. The Senate amendments make a technical, nonsubstantive change to the bill. AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required the DPR, not later than February 1, 2014, to determine a leach rate for copper-based antifouling paint used on recreational vessels and make recommendations for appropriate mitigation measures that may be implemented to protect aquatic environments from the effects of exposure to that paint if it is registered as a pesticide. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs. COMMENTS : Copper is highly toxic in aquatic environments with adverse effect to various marine life. There are currently 84 bodies of water throughout California listed under the Clean Water Act as "impaired" water bodies due to copper concentrations. Copper loading in the marine environment comes from two major antifouling coating sources: the passive leaching of copper from the coatings applied to marine vessels, and hull cleaning of the vessels by divers using abrasive tools. The EPA awarded a contract to test a variety of new non-copper hull paints in San Diego. Both biocides (a substance AB 425 Page 2 destructive to many different organisms) and non-biocides were tested. The non-biocides were found to cause no harm to marine life or their aquatic environment, nor did they put human health at risk. Analysis Prepared by : Manny Hernández / E.S. & T.M. / (916) 319-3965 FN: 0001780