BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �




                   Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                           Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair

                                          SB 623 (Kehoe)
          
          Hearing Date: 05/26/2011        Amended: 04/25/2011
          Consultant: Brendan McCarthy    Policy Vote: EQ 5-1
          _________________________________________________________________
          ____
          BILL SUMMARY: SB 623 prohibits the sale of any recreational 
          vessel containing antifouling paint that contains copper after 
          January 1, 2015. In addition, the bill prohibits the use of 
          antifouling paint that contains copper after January 1, 2019.
          _________________________________________________________________
          ____
                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions         2011-12      2012-13       2013-14     Fund
           
          Developing regulations            $300                  Special 
          *

          Notifying retailer and            $150                  Special 
          *
             manufacturers

          Enforcement                       $300        $300      Special 
          *

          * Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund.
          _________________________________________________________________
          ____

          STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE. 

          Recreational boat owners often use antifouling paints on the 
          hulls of vessels to prevent marine organisms (such as barnacles) 
          from attaching to the hull. Copper is a commonly used ingredient 
          in these antifouling paints, since it inhibits growth on the 
          hull. In many of the state's coastal marinas, copper in the 
          water is present at levels that degrade overall water quality. 
          Research indicates that copper from antifouling paint is a 
          significant contributor to these copper levels. The State Water 
          Resources control board is considering regulatory action to 
          protect water quality in water bodies with marinas.









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          SB 623 prohibits the sale of any new recreational vessel 
          containing antifouling paint that contains copper, after January 
          1, 2015. In addition, after January 1, 2019 the bill prohibits 
          the use of antifouling paint containing copper on any 
          recreational vessel. The Director of Boating and Waterways is 
          authorized to delay the overall prohibition for one year if no 
          alternative antifouling paints are available by 2019.

          The Department of Boating and Waterways is authorized to enforce 
          the provisions of the bill. Staff estimates that the Department 
          will need two additional positions to adopt regulations to 
          implement the bill as well as additional funds to notify 
          retailers and manufacturers of the new regulations. In addition, 
          staff estimates the Department will need two ongoing positions 
          to enforce the requirements of the bill.