BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                    Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
          
                                           2146 (Leno)
          
          Hearing Date:  8/12/04          Amended: 6/16/04       
          Consultant: Miriam Barcellona Ingenito            Policy  
          Vote: NR&W 6-3           
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          BILL SUMMARY: 
          AB 2146 would establish restrictions and increased  
          penalties related to the commercial Dungeness crab fishery.  
          Specifically, AB 2146 would (1) authorize the Fish and Game  
          Commission (FGC) to adopt regulations for the Dungeness  
          crab fishery, as specified; (2) authorize FGC to establish  
          a Dungeness Crab Advisory Committee, as prescribed; (3)  
          establish a maximum number of traps that can be used for  
          the commercial take of Dungeness crab and make it a  
          misdemeanor for first violations and revocation of license  
          for second violations; and (4) exempt Dungeness crab traps  
          from the requirement that traps be raised, cleaned,  
          serviced and emptied at least every 96 hours and instead  
          require that the traps be removed from the ocean not more  
          than 96 hours after the close of the crab season.
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                          Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions              2004-05             2005-06         
                2006-07            Fund
           Regulations        $50                               SF*
          Enforcement                    $328                   
          $243SF*
           Advisory Committee             unknown, potentially less  
            than $50           SF*
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          *Fish and Game Preservation Fund.
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          STAFF COMMENTS: Suspense file.
          
          AB 2146 would result in minor costs to adopt or modify  
          regulations pertaining to the Dungeness crab fishery and to  
          appoint member of the advisory committee. AB 2146 would  
          result in additional enforcement costs to the Department of  










          Fish and Game to enforce the Dungeness crab trap limit.  

          PROPOSED AMENDMENTS:  The author proposes amendments that  
          would authorize FGC to adjust the crab vessel permit fee or  
          establish a landing fee or vessel stamp to cover all  
          reasonable costs incurred by DFG in the administration and  
          enforcement of this section.