BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1528
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Date of Hearing: April 28, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE
Marc Levine, Chair
AB 1528
(Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife) - As Introduced March
18, 2015
SUBJECT: Public resources
SUMMARY: Makes conforming and other nonsubstantive changes to
the Public Resources Code, and names the lace lichen as the
official state lichen. Specifically, this bill:
1)Corrects several out-of-date references to the former
Department of Boating and Waterways and eliminates an obsolete
code provision relating to an expired concession contract at
the Columbia Historic State Park.
2)Names the lace lichen as the official state lichen.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Establishes the Division of Boating and Waterways within the
Department of Parks & Recreation. The Division assumed the
duties of the prior Department of Boating and Waterways which
was eliminated as a result of state reorganization.
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2)Establishes and designates a number of official state emblems,
including but not limited to, a state flower, tree, butterfly,
reptile, amphibian, animal, fish, rock, grass, mineral,
gemstone, marine mammal, fossil, and prehistoric artifact.
FISCAL EFFECT: None; this bill is tagged non-fiscal.
COMMENTS: This bill would correct out-of-date references to the
prior Department of Boating and Waterways in the Public
Resources Code, and eliminate other obsolete code provisions.
The Public Resources Code establishes the Division of Boating
and Waterways within the Department of Parks & Recreation. This
division used to be a separate stand-alone department, but a
state reorganization process eliminated the Department of
Boating and Waterways and transferred the responsibilities of
the prior department to the new Division of boating and
waterways within the Department of Parks & Recreation.
This bill also names the Lace Lichen, Ramalina menziesii, as the
official state lichen. Currently, the state does not designate
a state lichen, but does have a number of other official state
emblems, as described above. Lichens are unique organisms that
consist of both a fungus and an algae living together in a
symbiotic relationship. Lichens are important for both wildlife
and people. Lichens are a food source for many animals. They
also have antibacterial properties and have been used
medicinally for thousands of years. The lace lichen is being
recommended as the official state lichen because it is a native
lichen that is commonly found throughout much of California.
Support Arguments: The California Lichen Society supports the
provision in this bill which would designate the lace lichen as
the official state lichen. They note that doing so will help to
promote appreciation, education and study of lichens, and the
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important role they play in our natural environment. The
Society indicates that the lace lichen is a good representative
of the lichen family to be named the state lichen, because it is
a beautiful native lichen that is commonly found throughout much
of California. Lichens are excellent examples of symbiosis, in
which two organisms are dependent on each other. Lichens are
tough and adaptable, and occur in diverse areas of both moderate
and extreme climate. They are also actively being used as
biological indicators of air quality and climate change around
the world including in California.
Opposition Arguments: None received.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Lichen Society
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by:Diane Colborn / W., P., & W. / (916)
319-2096
AB 1528
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