BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 1089 Page 1 Date of Hearing: June 29, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair SB 1089 (Pavley) - As Amended June 15, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Water, Parks and Wildlife |Vote:|10 - 4 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill expands the composition of the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to include two public members, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one by the Senate Rules Committee. SB 1089 Page 2 FISCAL EFFECT: Minor increased annual travel costs of approximately $4,000 (Wildlife Restoration Fund) for the additional two members. COMMENTS: 1)Purpose. According to the author, the WCB has become the leading state entity for acquisition of resource and habitat lands, especially in areas not covered by a conservancy. The existing three members of the WCB are all members who serve through their appointment by the Governor to their positions. According to the author, this bill will add important perspectives to the work of the WCB from individuals who are not members of the Administration. 2)Background. The WCB was created in 1947 to administer a capital outlay program for wildlife conservation and related public recreation. WCB is a separate and independent board with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation. WCB consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Director of the Department of Finance. A Legislative Advisory Committee consisting of three members of the Senate and three members of the Assembly meets regularly with the WCB and provides oversight. WCB's three main functions are land acquisition, habitat restoration and development of wildlife oriented public access facilities. 3)Criteria for Public Members. The current version of the bill does not provide any criteria to guide the appointment of the SB 1089 Page 3 public members. Because the work of WCB is so specific, the author may wish to consider the following amendment: "Both public members shall have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes including but not limited to activities that benefit disadvantaged communities identified pursuant to the provisions of Health and Safety Code Section 39711, experience with a land conservation nonprofit organization, a public agency focused on land conservation or public land management, or as a professional with expertise in one or more functions of the board including conservation easements or other interests in real estate designed to further the mission of the board." Additionally, the author may wish to consider clarifying that public members are not compensated, with the exception of reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses. Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081