SB 436 [Jackson] Boater Funds for Non-boating Programs
RBOC urges California boaters to contact their state Assembly Members and urge them to vote “no” on SB 436 [Jackson] when this bill is taken up on the Assembly Floor [Assembly Third Reading].
Quick action is needed – this bill was just created through amendments on September 6 and we anticipate it will be acted upon before the Legislature recesses this first year of the 2013-2014 legislative session on Friday, September 13.
SB 436 would open up the boater-financed state Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] for a non-boating purpose: the prevention of damage to streets and property within cities caused by beach erosion and flooding, including $1 million for streets and property located along Hueneme Beach.
While RBOC recognizes the importance of prevention efforts at Hueneme Beach, boaters are not the source of the damage, nor are they the beneficiaries of the prevention efforts that would be financed by their fuel tax dollars and registration fees.
SB 436 - Boater Funds for Non-Boating Programs
September 10, 2013
Instructions –
Identify your Assembly Member and his \ her contact information:
http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
Click onto the link to your Assembly Member’s website. This site will provide the phone number and usually a contact form for emails.
Use the sample text below for an email, fax or phone call to your Assembly Member. Make sure to identify yourself as a constituent.
Please submit ASAP, quick action is needed – this bill was just created through amendments on September 6 and we anticipate it will be acted upon before the Legislature recesses this first year of the 2013-2014 legislative session on Friday, September 13.
The Honorable [insert name]
State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: SB 436 [Jackson] – Oppose
New Bill Created on September 6 - Boater Funds for Non-boating Programs
Dear Assembly Member [insert name]:
I am a constituent and I urge you to vote “no” on SB 436 [Jackson] when this bill is taken up on Assembly Third Reading.
I am seriously concerned that SB 436 would open up the boater-financed state Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] for a non-boating purpose: the prevention of damage to streets and property within cities caused by beach erosion and flooding, including $1 million for streets and property located along Hueneme Beach.
While I recognize the importance of prevention efforts at Hueneme Beach, boaters are not the source of the damage, nor are we the beneficiaries of the prevention efforts that would be financed by our fuel tax dollars and registration fees.
As the Department of Boating and Waterways has now become a Division within the Department of Parks and Recreation effective July 1 as per the provisions of GRP #2 of 2012, it is critical that the transition preserves and maintains the integrity, vitality, structure, funding and effectiveness of the HWRF that works to provide programs and services that directly benefit the boaters who provide our hard-earned taxes and fees for this special fund. SB 436 is contrary to these principles.
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss my position on this bill.
[name]
[insert street address, city \ state \ zip so Member can confirm you are a constituent]