The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife-related purposes.

This bill would expand the composition of the board to include 4 public members to serve terms of 4 years each and would require one public member to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, one public member to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and 2 public members to be appointed by the Governor. This bill would require the public members appointed to the board to have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife-related purposes.

This bill would expand the composition of the board to include 4 public members to serve terms of 4 years each and would require one public member to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, one public member to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and 2 public members to be appointed by the Governor. This bill would require the public members appointed to the board to have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife-related purposes.

This bill would expand the composition of the board to include 2 4 public members to serve terms of 4 years each and would require one public member to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and Assembly, one public member to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. Rules, and 2 public members to be appointed by the Governor. This bill would require the public members appointed to the board to have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife-related purposes.

This bill would expand the composition of the board to include 2 public members to serve terms of 4 years each and would require one public member to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one public member to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. This bill would require the public members appointed to the board to have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife-related purposes.

This bill would expand the composition of the board to include 2 public members to serve terms of 4 years each and would require one public member to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one public member to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The bill would also authorize the Director of Finance to appoint a designee to serve on the board to represent the Director of Finance.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife related wildlife-related purposes.

This bill would expand the composition of the board to include two 2 public members appointed by an unspecified entity to serve terms of four 4 years each. each and would require one public member to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one public member to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The bill would also authorize the Director of Finance to appoint a designee to serve on the board to represent the Director of Finance.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife related purposes.

This bill would expand the composition of the board to include two public members appointed by an unspecified entity to serve terms of four years each. The bill would also authorize the Director of Finance to appoint a designee to serve on the board to represent the Director of Finance.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance. Existing law requires the board to investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife related purposes.

This bill would authorize the Director of Finance to appoint a designee to serve on the board to represent the Director of Finance.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 1089

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 8-0, 3/29/16

AYES: Pavley, Allen, Hertzberg, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, Vidak, Wolk

NO VOTE RECORDED: Stone

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SENATE FLOOR: 33-0, 4/14/16

AYES: Allen, Anderson, Bates, Beall, Berryhill, Block, Cannella, De León, Fuller, Galgiani, Glazer, Hall, Hancock, Hernandez, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Jackson, Lara, Leno, Leyva, Liu, Mendoza, Mitchell, Monning, Morrell, Nguyen, Pan, Pavley, Roth, Vidak, Wieckowski, Wolk

NO VOTE RECORDED: Gaines, Huff, McGuire, Moorlach, Nielsen, Runner, Stone

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 53-23, 8/18/16 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill adds public members to the Wildlife Conservation Board (Board).

Assembly Amendments added two public members to be appointed by the Governor who would have the same qualifications as the public members appointed by the Legislature.

ANALYSIS: Existing law creates the Board with three members who sit by reason of their appointment by the Governor to the Fish and Game Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance.

This bill:

1. Adds four public members, two of whom would be appointed by the Governor, one of whom would be appointed by the Speaker, and one of whom would be appointed by Senate Rules.
2. Requires the four public members to have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes, including but not limited to experience with activities that benefit disadvantaged communities, experience with a land conservation nonprofit organization, a public agency focused on land conservation, or public land management, or experience as a professional with one or more functions of the board including conservation easements or other interests in real estate designed to further the mission of the board.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to Assembly Appropriations, minor increase in travel costs for public members.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/19/16)

Trust for Public Land

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/19/16)

Department of Finance

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author who serves on the legislative advisory board of the Board there are many reasons that new public members will help improve the Board. The Board has become the state’s leading entity for acquisition of resource and habitat lands, especially in areas not covered by an existing conservancy, which is why it is important to provide more public and legislative input.

In addition to adding professional expertise, the bill will meaningfully increase public involvement, allow members to talk one-on-one without violating open meetings laws and it means that quorums will be more easily achieved.

But the major benefit is that it adds voting members—not just advisory members-- from the Legislature which should provide greater opportunities for cooperation between the Legislature and the Board.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: The Department of Finance opposed a previous version of the bill which had not yet clarified who would make the public Board appointments.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 53-23, 8/18/16

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Arambula, Atkins, Baker, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brown, Burke, Campos, Chau, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Hadley, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Levine, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, McCarty, Medina, Mullin, Nazarian, O'Donnell, Quirk, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Weber, Williams, Wood, Rendon

NOES: Travis Allen, Bigelow, Brough, Chang, Chávez, Dahle, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Gray, Grove, Harper, Jones, Lackey, Linder, Mathis, Mayes, Obernolte, Olsen, Patterson, Steinorth, Wagner, Waldron, Wilk

NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Roger Hernández, Kim, Melendez

Prepared by:

8/19/16 19:54:02

**** END ****

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SB 1089

Author:(Pavley)

As Amended Ver:August 4, 2016

Majority vote

SENATE VOTE: 33-0

SUMMARY: Adds four public members, one appointed by the Assembly Speaker, one by the Senate Rules Committee, and two by the Governor, to the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). Specifically, this bill:

1. Expands the composition of the WCB to include four public members, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, one by the Senate Rules Committee, and two by the Governor. The public members would be voting members and would serve 4 year terms.
2. Requires that each public member have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes including but not limited to activities that benefit disadvantaged communities, experience with a land conservation organization, a public agency focused on land conservation or public land management, or as a professional with expertise in one or more functions of the WCB including conservation easements or other real estate interests designed to further WCB's mission.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the WCB, which consists of a three member board including the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the President of the State Fish and Game Commission, and the Director of Finance. Provides that the members of the WCB shall receive actual and necessary travel expenses.
2. Provides that three members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, and three members of the Assembly, appointed by the Assembly Speaker, shall serve as advisors and participate in WCB meetings.
3. Authorizes the WCB to determine areas within the state that are most essential and suitable for wildlife production and preservation, and for fishing and hunting, and to authorize acquisition of properties and property interests for these purposes.
4. Authorizes the Director of Finance to designate any deputy of his or her office to act in his or her place and stead on any state board or commission.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, minor increased annual travel costs of approximately $4,000 (Wildlife Restoration Fund) for the additional two members.

COMMENTS: This bill expands the membership of the WCB from three to seven members, by adding four public members, with one each to be appointed by the Senate and Assembly, and two by the Governor. The Governor would continue to have a majority of the appointments to the WCB. The author notes that the WCB is an important, if not particularly well known, state agency that plays a key role in funding conservation efforts across the state. The WCB has become the leading state entity for acquisition of resource and habitat lands, especially in areas not covered by a conservancy. The author notes that the WCB has a strong track record of working with landowners, land trusts, local governments, conservation groups, and state conservancies, and that the legislative advisory members to the WCB have served a constructive role.

To increase the visibility of the WCB, and to add public expertise to its work, this bill proposes to add four public members to the WCB. The existing three members of the WCB are all members who serve through their appointment by the Governor to their positions. This bill would add new perspectives to the work of the WCB from individuals who are not members of the Administration, though two of the public members would still be appointed by the Governor.

The WCB's three main functions are land acquisition, habitat restoration, and development of wildlife oriented public access facilities, which are carried out through its programs. Much of the WCB's funding has come from general obligation bond acts approved by the voters, the Habitat Conservation Fund authorized by Proposition 117 in 1990, and other state and federal funds.

The WCB was created in 1947 to administer a capital outlay program for wildlife conservation and related public recreation. Originally created within the California Department of Natural Resources, and later placed with DFW, the WCB is a separate and independent Board with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation. The primary responsibilities of the WCB are to select, authorize and allocate funds for the purchase of land and waters suitable for recreational purposes and the preservation, protection and restoration of wildlife habitat. The WCB approves and funds projects that set aside lands for such purposes, through acquisition or other means, to meet these objectives. The WCB can also authorize the construction of facilities for recreational purposes on property in which it has a proprietary interest.

A number of other state environmental boards and commissions include public members. For example, the Ocean Protection Council consists of the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the chair of the State Lands Commission, and two public members appointed by the Governor. The State Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Conservancy also both have public members. The Coastal Commission consists of 12 members, six of which are public members. The Coastal Conservancy consists of seven members, including the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Chair of the Coastal Commission, and four public members.

The Air Resources Board consists of 14 members, 12 of which are appointed by the Governor, including two public members. Two additional members are appointed by the Legislature, one by the Senate Committee on Rules and one by the Speaker of the Assembly. The legislative appointments are required to be persons who work directly with communities in the state that are most significantly burdened by and vulnerable to high levels of pollution, including communities with diverse racial and ethnic populations and communities with low-income populations.

The public members added to the WCB by this bill would serve without compensation, but would receive reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses, which is provided to all WCB members under existing law.

Supporters of this bill note that adding public members to the WCB would broaden the representation and perspectives on the Board, and create additional ambassadors to represent the important work of the WCB to the general public, which is largely unaware of this important body.

There is no known opposition to this bill as amended.

Analysis Prepared by: Diane Colborn / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0003797

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SB 1089

Author:(Pavley)

As Amended Ver:August 2, 2016

Majority vote

SENATE VOTE: 33-0

SUMMARY: Adds two public members, appointed by the Legislature, to the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). Specifically, this bill:

1. Expands the composition of the WCB to include two public members, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and one by the Senate Rules Committee. The public members would be voting members and would serve four year terms.
2. Requires that both public members have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes including but not limited to activities that benefit disadvantaged communities, experience with a land conservation organization, a public agency focused on land conservation or public land management, or as a professional with expertise in one or more functions of the WCB including conservation easements or other real estate interests designed to further WCB's mission.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the WCB, which consists of a three member board including the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the President of the State Fish and Game Commission, and the Director of Finance. Provides that the members of the WCB shall receive actual and necessary travel expenses.
2. Provides that three members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, and three members of the Assembly, appointed by the Assembly Speaker, shall serve as advisors and participate in WCB meetings.
3. Authorizes the WCB to determine areas within the state that are most essential and suitable for wildlife production and preservation, and for fishing and hunting, and to authorize acquisition of properties and property interests for these purposes.
4. Authorizes the Director of Finance to designate any deputy of his or her office to act in his or her place and stead on any state board or commission.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, minor increased annual travel costs of approximately $4,000 (Wildlife Restoration Fund) for the additional two members.

COMMENTS: This bill expands the membership of the WCB from three to five members, by adding two public members appointed by the Senate and Assembly. The author notes that the WCB is an important, if not particularly well known, state agency that plays a key role in funding conservation efforts across the state. The WCB has become the leading state entity for acquisition of resource and habitat lands, especially in areas not covered by a conservancy. The author notes that the WCB has a strong track record of working with landowners, land trusts, local governments, conservation groups, and state conservancies, and that the legislative advisory members to the WCB have served a constructive role.

To increase the visibility of the WCB, and to add public expertise to its work, this bill proposes to add two public members to the WCB. The existing three members of the WCB are all members who serve through their appointment by the Governor to their positions. This bill would add new perspectives to the work of the WCB from individuals who are not members of the Administration.

The WCB's three main functions are land acquisition, habitat restoration, and development of wildlife oriented public access facilities, which are carried out through its programs. Much of the WCB's funding has come from general obligation bond acts approved by the voters, the Habitat Conservation Fund authorized by Proposition 117 in 1990, and other state and federal funds.

The WCB was created in 1947 to administer a capital outlay program for wildlife conservation and related public recreation. Originally created within the California Department of Natural Resources, and later placed with DFW, the WCB is a separate and independent Board with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation. The primary responsibilities of the WCB are to select, authorize and allocate funds for the purchase of land and waters suitable for recreational purposes and the preservation, protection and restoration of wildlife habitat. The WCB approves and funds projects that set aside lands for such purposes, through acquisition or other means, to meet these objectives. The WCB can also authorize the construction of facilities for recreational purposes on property in which it has a proprietary interest.

A number of other state environmental boards and commissions include public members. For example, the Ocean Protection Council consists of the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the chair of the State Lands Commission, and two public members appointed by the Governor. The State Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Conservancy also both have public members. The Coastal Commission consists of 12 members, six of which are public members. The Coastal Conservancy consists of seven members, including the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Chair of the Coastal Commission, and four public members.

The Air Resources Board consists of 14 members, 12 of which are appointed by the Governor, including two public members. Two additional members are appointed by the Legislature, one by the Senate Committee on Rules and one by the Speaker of the Assembly. The legislative appointments are required to be persons who work directly with communities in the state that are most significantly burdened by and vulnerable to high levels of pollution, including communities with diverse racial and ethnic populations and communities with low-income populations.

The public members added to the WCB by this bill would serve without compensation, but would receive reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses, which is provided to all WCB members under existing law.

Supporters of this bill note that adding two public members to the WCB would broaden the representation and perspectives on the Board, and create additional ambassadors to represent the important work of the WCB to the general public, which is largely unaware of this important body.

There is no known opposition to this bill as amended.

Analysis Prepared by: Diane Colborn / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0003586

Date of Hearing: June 29, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1089

Author:(Pavley) – As Amended Ver:June 15, 2016

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill expands the composition of the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to include two public members, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one by the Senate Rules Committee.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Minor increased annual travel costs of approximately $4,000 (Wildlife Restoration Fund) for the additional two members.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author, the WCB has become the leading state entity for acquisition of resource and habitat lands, especially in areas not covered by a conservancy. The existing three members of the WCB are all members who serve through their appointment by the Governor to their positions. According to the author, this bill will add important perspectives to the work of the WCB from individuals who are not members of the Administration.
2. Background. The WCB was created in 1947 to administer a capital outlay program for wildlife conservation and related public recreation. WCB is a separate and independent board with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation. WCB consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Director of the Department of Finance. A Legislative Advisory Committee consisting of three members of the Senate and three members of the Assembly meets regularly with the WCB and provides oversight.

WCB's three main functions are land acquisition, habitat restoration and development of wildlife oriented public access facilities.

1. Criteria for Public Members. The current version of the bill does not provide any criteria to guide the appointment of the public members. Because the work of WCB is so specific, the author may wish to consider the following amendment:

"Both public members shall have demonstrated interest and expertise in land acquisition for conservation purposes including but not limited to activities that benefit disadvantaged communities identified pursuant to the provisions of Health and Safety Code Section 39711, experience with a land conservation nonprofit organization, a public agency focused on land conservation or public land management, or as a professional with expertise in one or more functions of the board including conservation easements or other interests in real estate designed to further the mission of the board."

Additionally, the author may wish to consider clarifying that public members are not compensated, with the exception of reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: June 14, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE

Marc Levine, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1089

Author:(Pavley) – As Amended Ver:May 11, 2016

SENATE VOTE: 33-0

SUBJECT: Wildlife Conservation Board

SUMMARY: Adds two public members, appointed by the Legislature, to the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), and clarifies existing law that allows the Director of Finance to appoint a designee. Specifically, this bill:

1. Expands the composition of the WCB to include two public members, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and one by the Senate Rules Committee. The public members would be voting members and would serve 4 year terms.
2. Specifically authorizes the Director of Finance to appoint a designee to serve on the WCB to represent the Director of Finance.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the WCB, which consists of a three member board including the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the President of the State Fish and Game Commission, and the Director of Finance. Provides that the members of the WCB shall receive actual and necessary travel expenses.
2. Provides that three members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, and three members of the Assembly, appointed by the Assembly Speaker, shall serve as advisors and participate in WCB meetings.
3. Authorizes the WCB to determine areas within the state that are most essential and suitable for wildlife production and preservation, and for fishing and hunting, and to authorize acquisition of properties and property interests for these purposes.
4. Authorizes the Director of Finance to designate any deputy of his or her office to act in his or her place and stead on any state board or commission.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible if any state costs.

COMMENTS: This bill expands the membership of the WCB from three to five members, by adding two public members appointed by the Senate and Assembly.

1. Author's Statement: The author notes that the WCB is an important, if not particularly well known, state agency that plays a key role in funding conservation efforts across the state. The WCB has become the leading state entity for acquisition of resource and habitat lands, especially in areas not covered by a conservancy. The WCB has a strong track record of working with landowners, land trusts, local governments, conservation groups, and state conservancies, and the legislative advisory members to the WCB have served a constructive role. However, to increase the visibility of the WCB, and to add public expertise to its work, this bill proposes to add two public members to the WCB. The existing three members of the WCB are all members who serve through their appointment by the Governor to their positions. This bill would add important perspectives to the work of the WCB from individuals who are not members of the Administration.
2. Background: The WCB's three main functions are land acquisition, habitat restoration, and development of wildlife oriented public access facilities, which are carried out through its programs. Much of the WCB's funding has come from general obligation bond acts approved by the voters, the Habitat Conservation Fund authorized by Proposition 117 in 1990, and other state and federal funds.
   
   The WCB was created in 1947 to administer a capital outlay program for wildlife conservation and related public recreation. Originally created within the California Department of Natural Resources, and later placed with DFW, the WCB is a separate and independent Board with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation.

The primary responsibilities of the WCB are to select, authorize and allocate funds for the purchase of land and waters suitable for recreational purposes and the preservation, protection and restoration of wildlife habitat. The WCB approves and funds projects that set aside lands for such purposes, through acquisition or other means, to meet these objectives. The WCB can also authorize the construction of facilities for recreational purposes on property in which it has a proprietary interest.

A number of other state environmental boards and commissions include public members. For example, the Ocean Protection Council consists of the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the chair of the State Lands Commission, and two public members appointed by the Governor.

The State Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Conservancy both have public members. The Coastal Commission consists of 12 members, six of which are public members. The Coastal Conservancy consists of seven members, including the Secretary of Natural Resources, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Chair of the Coastal Commission, and four public members.

The Air Resources Board consists of 14 members, 12 of which are appointed by the Governor, including two public members. Two additional members are appointed by the Legislature, one by the Senate Committee on Rules and one by the Speaker of the Assembly. The legislative appointments are required to be persons who work directly with communities in the state that are most significantly burdened by and vulnerable to high levels of pollution, including communities with diverse racial and ethnic populations and communities with low-income populations.

The public members added to the WCB by this bill would serve without compensation, but would receive reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses, which is provided to all WCB members under existing law.

1. Prior and Related Legislation: AB 1590 (Mathis) of this year proposed to add 4 members to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to be appointed by the Legislature, including one member each to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, the Assembly Minority Leader, the President pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Senate Minority Leader. AB 1590 was dropped by the author.
   
2. Support Arguments: Adding two public members to the WCB would broaden the representation and perspectives on the Board, and create additional ambassadors to represent the important work of the WCB to the general public, which is largely unaware of this important body.
3. Opposition Arguments: None received. The Department of Finance raised concerns to a prior version of this bill which they indicated was unclear as to who would appoint the public members. This bill has since been amended to clarify that point. The Department of Finance also noted that subsection (b) of this bill is unnecessary, as the Government Code already provides the Director of Finance with the authority to appoint a designee.
4. Suggested Amendments: Government Code Section 7.9 gives the Director of Finance general authority to appoint a designee to represent the director and act in his or her stead on any state board or commission of which the director is a member. Subsection (b) of this bill is therefore redundant and can be deleted as follows:

On page 2, strike lines 7-8.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Pacific Forest Trust

Trust for Public Lands

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Diane Colborn / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 1089

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 8-0, 3/29/16

AYES: Pavley, Allen, Hertzberg, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, Vidak, Wolk

NO VOTE RECORDED: Stone

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill adds two public members to the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) and allows the Director of Finance, already a member, to send a designee.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes, under the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947, the WCB in the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
2. Provides the WCB shall consist of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of Fish and Wildlife, and the Director of Finance.
3. Requires the WCB investigate, study, and determine the areas in the state that are most suitable for certain wildlife related purposes.

This bill adds two public members to the WCB and allows the Director of Finance, already a member, to send a designee.

Comments

The provision for the Department of Finance to appoint a designee basically ratifies a practice that occurs occasionally at WCB meetings. A designee could also allow the WCB to establish a quorum at meetings where the attendance of other voting members is not anticipated.

The appointment of two public members also increases the likelihood of a quorum at WCB plus it creates an opportunity for knowledgeable public members to participate. The WCB is an entity tasked with a leadership role in the acquisition of conservation and habitat lands across the state.

The author is in discussions regarding the appointing authorities for the two public members and their qualifications.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/11/16)

Pacific Forest Trust

Trust for Public Land

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/11/16)

Department of Finance

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, the WCB is a key agency for acquisition of conservation lands all across the state and adding two qualified public members will add status to the WCB as well as bring to it more points of view regarding important acquisitions.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: The Department of Finance is opposed based on the lack of information regarding the two public members and their qualifications, which is under discussion.

Prepared by:

4/13/16 16:54:06

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Fran Pavley, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: SB 1089 Hearing Date: March 29, 2016

Subject: Wildlife Conservation Board

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

Section 1320 of the Fish and Game Code establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). It is comprised of the president of the Fish and Game Commission and the directors of the Department of Fish and Game and Finance, all gubernatorial appointments.

PROPOSED LAW

This bill would allow the director of the Department of Finance to appoint a designee. It would also provide for the appointment of two public members.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author, the provision for the Department of Finance to appoint a designee basically ratifies a practice that occurs occasionally at WCB meetings. A designee could also allow the WCB to establish a quorum at meetings where the attendance of other voting members is not anticipated.

The appointment of two public members would also increase the likelihood of a quorum at WCB plus it would create an opportunity for knowledgeable public members to participate. The WCB is an entity tasked with a leadership role in the acquisition of conservation and habitat lands across the state.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

None received.

COMMENTS

The author is in discussions with the administration regarding the two public members and the criteria for those appointments.

SUPPORT

Pacific Forest Trust

Trust for Public Land

OPPOSITION

None Received

-- END --