BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
408 (Saldana)
Hearing Date: 08/02/2010 Amended: 08/02/2010
Consultant: Brendan McCarthy Policy Vote: NR&W 5-3
AB 408 (Saldana), Page 2
_________________________________________________________________
____
BILL SUMMARY: AB 408 creates a new supplemental fee to be paid
by commercial spiny lobster fisherman. Proceeds from the fee
will be expended by the Department of Fish and Game on projects
to improve the sustainability of the spiny lobster fishery. The
bill also creates an advisory committee to provide input to the
Department on expenditure of the fee revenues.
_________________________________________________________________
____
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund
Fee revenues ($61) ($61) Special
*
Fishery management $46 $46 Special
*
projects
Allowed program administration $15 $15 Special
*
Additional administration cost $10
$10Special **
* Fish and Game Preservation Fund, new dedicated account.
** Fish and Game Preservation Fund, Non-dedicated account.
_________________________________________________________________
____
STAFF COMMENTS:
Under current law, commercial anglers taking spiny lobsters in
waters of the state are required to have a permit from the
Department of Fish and Game. The current commercial permit fee
is $336 and the permit fee for a fishing boat crew member is
$159. The Department has the authority to limit the number of
permits issued to protect the sustainability of the spiny
lobster fishery. The Department issues approximately 200
commercial spiny lobster fishing permits per year. Proceeds from
permit fees are deposited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund
Non-dedicated account and are used for administrative costs,
fishery management, and enforcement activities.
AB 408 (Saldana), Page 2
This bill establishes a $300 supplemental fee, to be collected
in addition to the existing permit fee. Revenues from the
supplemental fee will be deposited in a new account within the
Fish and Game Preservation Fund. The Department is authorized to
spend revenues from the supplemental fee, upon appropriation of
the Legislature and with input from a new advisory board, for
projects and programs to improve lobster sustainability and
management. The bill caps administrative expenses at 24 percent
of revenues.
The bill establishes the Lobster Management Enhancement Advisory
Committee, to be made up of representatives of commercial
lobster fisherman, other anglers, and a scientist appointed by
the Director of Fish and Game. The Advisory Committee is
required to develop a plan that prioritizes expenditures that
support long-term sustainability of the spiny lobster fishery
and to recommend projects and programs to the Department for
funding.
The new supplemental fee is expected to raise about $61,000 per
year. The Department estimates that costs for collecting the
supplemental fee and providing staffing to support the
expenditure of funds from the new account will be about $25,000
per year. The bill caps administrative costs at 24 percent of
expenditures ($14,500 per year). Thus, the bill will require the
expenditure of funds from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund,
Non-dedicated account to cover the shortfall of about $10,500
per year.
The bill sunsets on January 1, 2017.
The bill also makes minor, technical changes to the standards
for lobster traps used in state waters.
AB 571 (Saldana, 2009) was substantially similar to this bill.
AB 571 was vetoed by the Governor because the bill would have
increased fees on lobster fisherman and imposed additional
duties on the Department.