"Governor Signs Bill Raising Boat Registration Fees to Fight Invasive Species
Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law AB 2443 [Williams] that will levy a Quagga and Zebra mussel infestation prevention fee on state vessel registrations to fund a grant program for implementation and administration of dreissenid mussel infestation, inspection and prevention programs.
RBOC was actively engaged and lobbying in the State Capitol as AB 2443 was considered, urging that the bill be revised to address several concerns with the specific provisions of the measure.
RBOC appreciates the revisions made to the bill, including provisions ensuring a critical role for the Department of Boating and Waterways in administering the expenditure of boater funds to be generated by boater fees.
With the enactment of AB 2443, RBOC will continue to be involved as the bill is implemented. It is important to RBOC that boaters be well-represented on the technical advisory group that will be formed, that fees are not levied on boaters whose activities do not present a risk of invasive species being introduced or spread, that boaters do not pay twice for the same programs, that decisions on the amount and use of boater fees are made in an open, transparent process, and that the fees be utilized in an efficient and effective manner."
www.rboc.org
Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law AB 2443 [Williams] that will levy a Quagga and Zebra mussel infestation prevention fee on state vessel registrations to fund a grant program for implementation and administration of dreissenid mussel infestation, inspection and prevention programs.
RBOC was actively engaged and lobbying in the State Capitol as AB 2443 was considered, urging that the bill be revised to address several concerns with the specific provisions of the measure.
RBOC appreciates the revisions made to the bill, including provisions ensuring a critical role for the Department of Boating and Waterways in administering the expenditure of boater funds to be generated by boater fees.
With the enactment of AB 2443, RBOC will continue to be involved as the bill is implemented. It is important to RBOC that boaters be well-represented on the technical advisory group that will be formed, that fees are not levied on boaters whose activities do not present a risk of invasive species being introduced or spread, that boaters do not pay twice for the same programs, that decisions on the amount and use of boater fees are made in an open, transparent process, and that the fees be utilized in an efficient and effective manner."
www.rboc.org