Bill Text: CA SB290 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Marine mammals and sea turtles: entanglement and stranding: emergency rescue services: grants.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2018-03-03 - Last day to consider Governor’s veto pursuant to Joint Rule 58.5. [SB290 Detail]

Download: California-2017-SB290-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 290

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Introduced by Senator Jackson

February 09, 2017

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An act to add Section 4502 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to fish and wildlife.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 290, as introduced, Jackson. Marine mammals and sea turtles: entanglement and stranding.

Under existing law, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is required to enforce and administer the fish and game laws pursuant to the policies formulated by the Fish and Game Commission. The department is administered by the Director of Fish and Wildlife. Existing law makes it unlawful to take any marine mammal, as defined, except as provided under specified federal laws.

This bill would, upon appropriation of moneys by the Legislature, require the director to establish a network of rescue and rehabilitation stations for marine mammals and sea turtles impacted by entanglement or stranding, as prescribed. The bill would authorize the director to enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations to establish and equip entanglement and stranding wildlife rescue and rehabilitation stations and to ensure that they are operated in a professional manner in keeping with the pertinent guidance documents issued by the director.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 4502 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read:

4502.

 (a) Upon appropriation of moneys by the Legislature for the purposes of this section, the director shall establish a network of rescue and rehabilitation stations for marine mammals and sea turtles impacted by entanglement or stranding. In addition to rehabilitative care, the primary focus of the Entangled and Stranded Wildlife Care Network shall include proactive marine wildlife and sea turtle search and collection rescue efforts. These facilities shall be established and maintained in a state of preparedness to provide the best achievable treatment for marine mammals and sea turtles impacted by entanglement or stranding in waters of the state. The director shall consider all feasible management alternatives for operation of the network.

(b) The director may enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations to establish and equip entanglement and stranding wildlife rescue and rehabilitation stations and to ensure that they are operated in a professional manner in keeping with the pertinent guidance documents issued by the director. The implementation of the agreement shall not constitute a California public works project.

(c) At the director’s request, any funds made available for purposes of this section may be directly appropriated to a suitable program for wildlife health and rehabilitation within a school of veterinary medicine within this state, if an agreement exists, consistent with this section, between the director and an appropriate representative of the program for carrying out that purpose. The director shall attempt to have an agreement in place at all times. The agreement shall ensure that the training of, and the care provided by, the program staff are at levels that are consistent with those standards generally accepted within the veterinary profession.