BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair

                                           248 (Lowenthal)
          
          Hearing Date:  07/06/2009           Amended: 06/27/2009
                                          As proposed to be amended
          Consultant:  Brendan McCarthy   Policy Vote: EQ 6-1
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          ____
          BILL SUMMARY: This bill would require operators of ocean going  
          vessels with ballast water treatment systems to provide  
          specified information about their use of the system to the State  
          Lands Commission.
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          ____
                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions         2009-10      2010-11      2011-12     Fund
           
          Developing regulations $75                              Special  
          *

          * Marine Invasive Species Control Fund
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          STAFF COMMENTS: 
          
          Many ocean going vessels use ballast water systems to maintain  
          stability and maneuverability. If ballast water is taken aboard  
          in one coastal area and released into the waters of another  
          coastal area, it is possible that invasive species can be  
          introduced into the receiving coastal waters. In order to avoid  
          the unintentional introduction of invasive species, operators of  
          vessels in California waters are required to take certain steps.  
          For example, vessel operators may exchange ballast water in the  
          open ocean or they may install ballast water treatment systems  
          that eliminate potential invasive species. In addition, vessel  
          operators are required to provide certain information to the US  
          Coast Guard and the State Lands Commission, including  
          information about the vessel's use of ballast water.

          AB 248 would require vessel operators to retain records of  
          information provided to the Commission for two years.  The bill  
          would require operators of vessels with ballast water treatment  










          systems to provide specified information on the type of ballast  
          water system and its use to the State Lands Commission. The bill  
          also requires vessel operators to retain records relating to  
          their use of ballast water treatment systems.

          The Commission estimates that it will require about $75,000 to  
          develop the proper reporting forms and procedures via  
          regulation. The costs would be paid out of the Marine Invasive  
          Species Control Fund, which is supported by fees on vessel  
          operators in state waters.

          The proposed amendments would make technical changes to the  
          bill.

          This bill is substantially similar to AB 169 (Levine, 2008)  
          which was vetoed by the Governor due to the late adoption of the  
          Budget Act.