BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Fran Pavley, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 1528 Hearing Date: June 23,
2015
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|Author: |Committee on Water, | | |
| |Parks, and Wildlife | | |
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|Version: |March 18, 2015 Introduced |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |No |
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|Consultant:|Katharine Moore |
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Subject: Public resources.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
The precursor to the Division of Boating and Waterways
(division) was established in 1957 to regulate the operation of
vessels in the state's inland and coastal waterways. While
generally retaining its jurisdiction, the division has evolved
over time and, as of July 1, 2013, became a division within the
Department of Parks and Recreation.
Existing law also renamed the Department of Fish and Game as the
Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Existing law 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.
Lichens are unique organisms that consist of both a fungus and
an algae living together in a symbiotic relationship. The Lace
Lichen, Ramalina menziesii, is native to California and commonly
found throughout much of the state. It is considered to be
beautiful. Currently, the state does not designate a state
lichen, but does have a number of other official state emblems,
as noted above.
AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife)
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PROPOSED LAW
This bill would (1) establish the lace lichen as the official
state lichen with supporting legislative findings, and (2) make
numerous technical and clarifying corrections to the Public
Resources Code, including deleting obsolete provisions and
updating references to, for example, the Department of Fish and
Wildlife and the division, among others, to reflect current law.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the Assembly Committee chair, "AB 1528 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correct out-of-date references to the prior Department of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."
"This bill, in naming the Lace Lichen as the official state
lichen will also help to promote appreciation, education and
study of lichens, and the important role they play in our
natural environment. The Lace Lichen is a good representative
of the lichen family for being 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 nature, in which
two organisms are dependent on each other. [?] Lichens are
important for both wildlife and people. A variety of animals
rely on lichens as a food source. Lichens also have
anti-bacterial properties and have been used medicinally for
thousands of years. Lichens live in many diverse types of
environments and are very adaptable. They are also actively
being used as biological indicators of air quality and climate
change around the world including in California."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
None received
SUPPORT
California Lichen Society
OPPOSITION
None Received
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AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife)
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