BILL ANALYSIS
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| SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER |
| Senator Fran Pavley, Chair |
| 2009-2010 Regular Session |
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BILL NO: SB 286 HEARING DATE: April 14, 2009
AUTHOR: Aanestad URGENCY: No
VERSION: As Introduced CONSULTANT: Bill Craven
DUAL REFERRAL: No FISCAL: Yes
SUBJECT: Department of Fish and Game: scientific collector's
permits.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
Section 1001 of the Fish and Game Code allows the Department of
Fish and Game (DFG) to take plants and animals for scientific,
propagation, public health, safety, prevention, relief of
suffering, or law enforcement purposes.
Section 1002 allows the department to issue permits, subject to
restrictions and regulations, to take or possess plants and
animals for scientific, educational, or propagation purposes.
These permits may be valid for 24 months and cost a base fee of
$30, adjusted for inflation (currently $57.75).
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would allow DFG to issue permits for the collection of
plants and animals to a California certified small business or
to an aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums in the name of the principal scientific investigator
(PI) or the company. This organization-based group permit would
cover temporary employees or volunteers if the permittee has
notified DFG of their names. The permittee must notify the
department of any changes to the individuals covered by the
permits within five days of the change. The change would be
effective one date after the notice is filed.
The department may charge a fee for the group permit. The fee
may be larger than the 1002 collection permits if DFG deems it
necessary to cover the costs of issuing the permit.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
1
According to the author, "Temporary employees, usually
volunteers, aren't hired until the start of the field project.
However, it usually takes 3-4 months for the Department of Fish
and Game to approve the Scientific Collector's Permits. If a
temporary employee resigns, the permits go with the employee,
and do not remain with the Principal Scientific Investigator, or
with the company who paid for the permit. This forces the
company, or the investigator, to start all over."
The Family Water Alliance agrees that the permitting process for
individual employees can be lengthy and indeterminate, often
taking months before approvals are obtained. This circumstance
affects the timeliness and cost-effectiveness of projects.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
None received.
COMMENTS
This bill is substantially identical to AB 2770 (La Malfa) that
was approved in this Committee, and was vetoed last year. The
veto message contained generic veto language and did not
identify specific concerns. Additionally, the committee
amendments that were recommended from last year are reflected in
this version of the bill.
SUPPORT
Family Water Alliance
SeaWorld San Diego
OPPOSITION
None Received
2