BILL NUMBER: SB 1082	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator McGuire

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2016

   An act to amend Section 35615 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to ocean resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1082, as introduced, McGuire. Ocean Protection Council:
functions and duties.
   Existing law, the California Ocean Protection Act, establishes the
California Ocean Protection Council and prescribes the membership
and functions and duties of the council with regard to the
protection, conservation, and restoration of coastal waters and ocean
resources.
   This bill would make various nonsubstantive changes in provisions
prescribing the functions and duties of the council.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 35615 of the Public Resources Code is amended
to read:
   35615.  The council shall do all of the following:
   (a) (1) Coordinate the  activities of state agencies that
are related to the protection and conservation of coastal waters and
ocean ecosystems to improve the effectiveness of state efforts to
protect ocean resources within existing fiscal limitations,
consistent with Sections 35510 and 35515.
   (2) Establish policies to coordinate the collection, evaluation,
and sharing of scientific data related to coastal and ocean resources
among agencies.
   (3) (A) Establish a science advisory team of distinguished
scientists to assist the council in meeting the purposes of this
division. At the request of the council, the science advisory team
may convene to identify, develop, and prioritize subjects and
questions for research or investigation, and review and evaluate
results of research or investigations to provide information for the
council's activities.
   (B) The science advisory team shall include scientists from a
range of disciplines that are a part of the council's purview.
   (C) The science advisory team shall provide an independent and
timely analysis of reports and studies, identifying areas of
scientific consensus or uncertainty, using the best available science
by drawing on state, national, and international experts.
   (D) Scientists selected as members of the science advisory team
shall serve without compensation, except for reimbursement of
expenses and subject to the terms of an existing contract with the
state.
   (4) Contract with the California Ocean Science Trust and other
nonprofit organizations, ocean science institutes, academic
institutions, or others that have experience in conducting the
scientific and educational tasks that are required by the council.
   (5) Transmit the results of research and investigations to state
agencies to provide information for policy decisions.
   (6) Identify and recommend to the Legislature changes in law 
that are  needed to achieve the goals of this section.
   (b) (1) Identify changes in federal law and policy necessary to
achieve the goals of this division and to improve protection,
conservation, and restoration of ocean ecosystems in federal and
state waters off the state's coast.
   (2) Recommend to the Governor and the Legislature actions the
state should take to encourage those changes in federal law and
policy.