BILL NUMBER:  AB 2151
  VETOED	DATE: 09/28/2014




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 2151 without my signature.

This bill would allow a county to seek direct reimbursement from a
resident age 16 or older for search or rescue costs when the person
knowingly violates a local, state or federal law or ordinance.

While I agree with the author's intent to discourage unlawful actions
that can place persons and rescue personnel in danger, this bill
contains vague language that may create an incentive for counties to
abuse the authority granted by this bill. Current law already allows
counties to recover costs for search and rescue through a civil
lawsuit if they can prove "gross negligence" on behalf of the rescued
individual. This bill would allow counties to bypass that due
process completely and serve an individual with a bill for up to
$12,000. I encourage the author to craft a bill that strikes the
right balance between appropriate due process and cost recovery for
reckless misconduct.


Sincerely,


Edmund G. Brown Jr.