The State Legislative and Regulations Committee works with the legislative advocates in reviewing and analyzing state legislative and administrative proposals to assess their impacts, determine the appropriate strategies, and execute advocacy efforts. Committee members work on specific issues, keeping apprised of their status, revisions, and developments, and implementing the organization's strategies

August 11

Special Boater Brief on Copper-based Anti-fouling Surfaces

[Download Here]

July 25, 2011

Special Boater Brief on Copper-based Anti-fouling Surfaces

[Download Here]

July 21, 2011

RBOC Opposes AB 656 [Huber
On June 28th RBOC advised the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization that it opposes AB 656. This bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Alyson Huber (10th District), would eliminate the Boating and Waterways Commission effective January 1, 2014. RBOC pointed out that the Commission provides a vital and effective function.

The objective of this bill is to submit the Commission to the ongoing “sunset review process” that applies to several hundred boards and commissions. Prior to the statutory sunset, review is conducted and a bill extending the sunset is introduced and enacted if the entity passes scrutiny.

RBOC is emphasizing that the Commission does not receive any money from the General Fund. Its financial support is comprised entirely of boater monies, in the form of fuel tax dollars, registration fees, and repayment of state loans of boater monies.

State Lands Commissions & Abandoned Vessels
RBOC has taken an “opposed unless amended” position on SB 595 [Wolk] – State Lands Commission and Abandoned Vessels. It is RBOC’s position that SB 595 be amended in a manner to insure it compliments the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund program administered by the Department of Boating and Waterways [DBW]. Further, RBOC maintains the proposed legislation should not duplicate or overlap that program, and shall not receive monies through the same funding sources.

As of this writing, the author and sponsors of SB 595 have agreed to an amendment removing the section of the bill that would have stated that the SLC program in the Public Resources Code supersedes the DBW program in the Harbors and Navigation Code whenever there is a conflict. RBOC’s efforts are continuing.

Lifejackets

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers program for mandatory lifejackets at Pine Flat Lake Park (east of Fresno) during the period April – October, 2011 is underway. Lifejackets are required for:

- Everyone swimming more than 100 feet from the shoreline.
Everyone aboard all non-motorized vessels, regardless of length, at all times.
- Everyone aboard motorized vessels up to 16 feet in length, at all times.
- Everyone aboard motorized vessels 16 feet or larger when the vessel is underway (under main propulsion).
- Pilots or passengers in any exposed area of the vessel when such vessel is underway (under main propulsion). Passengers in fully enclosed cabins (houseboats for example) are not required to wear life jackets.
- Lifejackets are not required when the vessel is stationary, or powered by a trolling motor.

RBOC will continue to monitor the situation on Pine Flat Lake and keep California boaters informed.

Further, in April 2011 the USCG Advisory Council voted to direct the Coast Guard to pursue a mandatory life jacket regulation program for all (A) personal watercraft, (B) human powered vessels of any length, (C) all towed sport watercraft, and (D) any vessel 18 feet or less.

The general opinion polls being generated by various boating enthusiast groups are echoing the same response – “leave individual choice alone” when it comes to mandatory life jacket wear except for under age children and certain watercraft engaged in hazardous sports.

April 26, 2011

RBOC is encouraging boaters to take action now to express their opposition to SB 623 [Kehoe] to members of the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality.

The bill is scheduled to be considered in the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality on Monday, May 2.

This bill would prohibit recreational boaters state-wide from using copper-based anti-fouling paints on the hulls of their boats to prevent marine organisms from growing on their hulls.

SB 623 would place a statewide ban placed into law. The bill would impose:

1. A January 1, 2015 ban on the sale of new recreational boats with anti-fouling paint containing copper, and
   
2. A January 1, 2019 ban on the use or application of these paints.
   

RBOC is opposed to SB 623 as amended on April 25 unless the
bill is revised to ensure that any deadline upon which the state’s recreational boaters will not be able to use copper-based anti-fouling paints does not take effect until there are alternatives that
are effective, available, and affordable.

[Download here] the RBOC call-to-arms with the following materials:

• A form letter individual boaters can sign and fax for delivery to the Capitol.
• A list of the Senators on the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, with their phone numbers.
• A copy of the current version of SB 623.

[Download RBOC position letter]

April 6, 2011

KEY ISSUE OVERVIEW

download

• State Budget Crisis Could Impact Boating Programs
• Anti-fouling Surfaces
• Abandoned Vessels
• Coastal Marina Permit

February 3, 2011

KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW

download

• RBOC Installs 2011 Officers
• Legislators Working Towards Early Budget Action
• Assembly Member Jim Silva named 2010 "Boater of the Year"
• RBOC Analyzing New Legislation
• Legislative Day - April 6
• Boater Access Update
• Coastal Marina Permit Update
• State Parks Funding Update
• Ethanol

August 25, 2010

KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW

download

• State Budget Delay
• Cal Boating Leadership
• State Parks - Prop 21 on November Ballot
• Coastal Marina Permit
• Alternative Strategies for Anti-fouling Surfaces
• Boater Access
• Invasive Species
• Chemicals in Toilets

RBOC Letter to State Water Board Re: Marina Permit
download

May, 2010
KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW
• RBOC Lobbying to Protect Boater Fees and Taxes
• RBOC Lobbying Marina and Club Permit Proposal
• A Special Thanks to Cal Boating Director Ray Tsuneyoshi
• RBOC Working to Preserve Boater Access on Multiple Fronts
• Bill to Prohibit Certain chemicals in sewage disposal systems
• Vessel Operator Certification
download

December, 2009
KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW
• Save Cal Boating
• RBOC Lobbying Marina and Club Permit Proposal
• Boat Operation Safety Legislation Enacted
• Abandoned Boat Measure Enacted
• RBOC pursuing Prevention of Invasive Species
• RBOC Following Development of Anti-fouling Surface Alternatives
• RBOC Working to Preserve Boater Access
• Bill Revising Out-of-state Purchase Provisions Enacted
download

Department of Boating and Waterways Programs:

October 13, 2009
KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW
• Save Cal Boating
• RBOC Lobbying Marina and Club Permit Proposal
• Boat Operation Safety Legislation Enacted
• Abandoned Boat Measure Enacted
• RBOC pursuing Prevention of Invasive Species
• RBOC Following Development of Anti-fouling Surface Alternatives
• RBOC Working to Preserve Boater Access
• Bill Revising Out-of-state Purchase Provisions Enacted
download

February 2, 2009
download

RBOC Statement Documents:

June 15, 2009
KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW
• Efforts to Save Cal Boating Persist After 3 Capitol Hearings
• RBOC To Lobby New Marina and Club Permit Proposal
• RBOC Following Development of Anti-fouling Surface Alternatives
• RBOC Supporting Boat Operation Safety Legislation
• RBOC Supporting Two Abandoned Boat Measures
• RBOC Expresses Harbor Commercialization Concerns to Coastal Commission
• RBOC Working to Preserve Boater Access in the Delta
download

March 5, 2008
Position Paper
Re: Aquatic Invasive Species
download