BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 497 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 15, 2013 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 497 (Chesbro) - As Amended: April 4, 2013 Policy Committee: Water, Parks and Wildlife Vote: 15-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill makes several changes to meeting and operations procedures of the Fish and Game Commission (FGC). Specifically, this bill: 1)Reduces the number of hearings required to be held annually from 10 to eight. Eliminates the requirement that no more than three meetings may be held in Sacramento per year. 2)Requires the FGC to amend any proposed regulations in a public meeting. 3)Exempts certain regulations from the Administrative Procedures Act if they conform with federal rules and regulations. 4)Authorizes the development of regulations for the taking of salmon and groundfish; 5)Allows Dungeness crab traps and gear to be set 64 hours prior to the opening date of crab season. 6)Requires FGC to form a wildlife resource committee to make recommendations regarding non-marine resource issues. FISCAL EFFECT Minor, absorbable costs to the state. COMMENTS AB 497 Page 2 1)Rationale. This bill makes procedural changes to give the FGC more flexibility in establishing meeting schedules and reducing meeting costs. It also makes a number of changes to streamline the regulatory process and elevate the focus on non-marine wildlife resources. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081