BILL NUMBER:  SB 459
  VETOED	DATE: 10/12/2009




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate bill 459 without my signature.

This bill is intended to make it easier for the state, under the
authority of the State Lands Commission (Commission), to remove
abandoned and other illegally placed vessels and watercraft when they
pose a safety or environmental hazard.

I recognize that, to the extent that unattended and abandoned
property can be removed from public lands and waterways more quickly,
state and local agencies could experience potentially significant
savings in court costs and environmental cleanup costs.  However,
there are also potentially significant costs that the state would
incur under this bill since it would enhance the Commission's ability
to remove and dispose of abandoned vessels.  These implementation
costs cannot be overlooked, especially given the state's current
fiscal condition and the fact that no source of funding is identified
in this bill.

The Department of Boating and Waterways currently administers the
Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Program, which is funded annually
through a legislative appropriation from the Harbors and Watercraft
Revolving Fund and which provides grants to local public agencies
with jurisdiction over navigable waterways in California and meeting
specified criteria, including a 10 percent funding match, for the
removal of abandoned vessels and navigational hazards.   As such,
this program has an identifiable funding source, as well as built-in
state cost containments through the annual budgetary process and the
prerequisite local funding match.

For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger