Bill Text: CA AB655 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Fish and wildlife: aquatic invasive species: Caulerpa.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-07-27 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 119, Statutes of 2023. [AB655 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB655-Chaptered.html
Assembly Bill
No. 655
CHAPTER 119
An act to amend Section 2300 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to algae.
[
Approved by
Governor
July 27, 2023.
Filed with
Secretary of State
July 27, 2023.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 655, Petrie-Norris.
Fish and wildlife: aquatic invasive species: Caulerpa.
Existing law prohibits a person from selling, possessing, importing, transporting, transferring, releasing alive in the state, or giving away without consideration the salt water algae of enumerated Caulerpa species, except possession for bona fide scientific research, as provided. Existing law subjects any person who violates these provisions to a specified civil penalty and to specified infraction or misdemeanor penalties.
This bill would instead prohibit a person from selling, possessing, importing, transporting, transferring, releasing alive in the state, or giving away without consideration all salt water algae of the genus Caulerpa, except that possession for bona fide scientific research.
Because this bill
expands the scope of conduct subject to criminal penalties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 2300 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to read:2300.
(a) No person shall sell, possess, import, transport, transfer, release alive in the state, or give away without consideration the salt water algae of the genus Caulerpa.(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a person may possess, for bona fide scientific research, as determined by the department, upon authorization by the department, the salt water algae of the
genus Caulerpa.
(c) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation.
