Governor Newsom has announced two appointments to the Boating and Waterways Commission

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced one new appointment and one reappointment to the Boating and Waterways Commission. Following is the excerpt from his press release:

Maggie Hallahan, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission. Hallahan has been licensed by the United States Coast Guard as a Captain since 2017 and has been Chief Executive Officer of MHPV, a San Francisco LBE Company, since 1990. She has been a Photographer and Director since 1990 and a Motivational Speaker for the UN Commission on the Status of Women since 1991. She was a Photographer for the United Nations Population Fund from 1981 to 2012. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hallahan is a Democrat.

Katie Hawkins, of Truckee, has been reappointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission, where she has served since 2020. Hawkins has been California Program Director for Outdoor Alliance since 2023. She was National Sales Manager for Marmot Mountain from 2013 to 2018. Hawkins was International Sales Manager for Black Diamond Equipment from 2008 to 2011. Hawkins is a member of the California Department of Natural Resources 30×30 Partnership Coordinating Committee. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Washington State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hawkins is a Democrat.

The Boating and Waterways Commission is established in statute in the Harbors and Navigation Code and is charged with providing advice and comment to the Division of Boating and Waterways in State Parks on all matters within the jurisdiction of the division. The Commission also provides advice and comment on boating facilities loans and grants proposed by the Division. 

The Commission is composed of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Each commissioner's term runs for four years. State law specifies that in making appointments to the Commission, the Governor shall give primary consideration to the geographical location of the residences of members as related to boating activities and harbors. One member is required to be a private small craft harbor owner and operator, one member must belong to a recognized statewide organization representing recreational boaters, and one member must be an officer or employee of a local law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing boating laws.

RBOC appreciates the leadership role individual commissioners and the entire commission have demonstrated, especially on recent issues as the division endeavors to address the solvency of the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund and to enhance access to boating opportunities.

Statistics Show Decline in Reported Boating Incidents, Injuries & Fatalities

The Division of Boating of Waterways noted at today’s Boating and Waterways Commission meeting that the number of recreational boating incidents, injuries and fatalities reported to the division in 2023 has decreased from the previous year:

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Source - Division of Boating and Waterways December 6, 2023 Boating and Waterways Commission Meeting

RBOC Advocating for Governor and Legislature to Adopt Recommendations on Boating Taxes & Fees in State Budgetnd

California’s boating community and industry together support the dedication and utilization of boater fees and taxes for programs and services that directly benefit boaters.

As a part of our ongoing advocacy efforts on this issue, RBOC and several like-minded boating organizations wrote to State Parks Director Quintero and other officials today to re-affirm our interests, concerns, and requests as the state budget for FY 2023-2024 is being developed prior to the start of that fiscal year on July 1.

We appreciate the decision made by the Governor and Legislature within the state budget for the current fiscal year to refrain from significantly increasing boat registration fees, and in convening a stakeholder process to provide a path to expanded opportunities for all Californians to enjoy on-the-water recreation in the years ahead.

This process provided the opportunity for all interested parties and the state to review the expenditure of more than $100 million each year in fuel tax dollars attributable to boats owners. Within that review, we were able to assess a need to determine the most effective and efficient use of those funds, to identify approaches for increasing the disproportionally small percentage of those monies currently directed to boating programs, and to enhance the financial participation of non-boaters who benefit from the current and future programs.

We anticipate that the Governor’s May Budget Revise may propose one or more solutions to the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] deficiency. We urge the administration and the Legislature to ensure that the recommendations developed through this stakeholder process are incorporated.

They include:

• A comprehensive report on the economic impact of recreational boating in California.

• The enhanced participation and financial contribution of non-boating stakeholders and beneficiaries who benefit from current and future programs and services.

• The enhancement of the statutory authority and role of the Commission to provide not only advice, but also consent on the Division’s loans and grants from the HWRF.

• The identification of approaches that can be taken to meet the new challenges identified through the stakeholder engagement process such as the number of abandoned and derelict vessels not currently addressed by the existing SAVE grant program.

• The enhancement of the Division’s administration of essential programs.

• The identification of efficiencies and improvements to programs that are not attracting the desired number of recipients due to statutory requirements that may be out-of-date, obsolete, or non-competitive.

• Encouragement of Californians to take advantage of the unique and diverse on-the-water opportunities that exist throughout the state.

• A return of a significant amount of the motor vehicle fuel taxes directly generated by recreational boaters to the HWRF.

• An identification and expenditure of other funds for grants directed to beach erosion control.

• As appropriate, a vessel registration fee adjustment that is reasonable and that corresponds to the revenues and savings that are recommended above.

With the dedicated leadership provided by members of the Boating and Waterways Commission and the personnel at the Division of Boating and Waterways, the boating community engaged in the extensive stakeholder process with optimism that the recom-mendations would inform budgetary decisions and policy initiatives to enhance unique California’s on-the-water opportunities for all Californians.

The process concluded at the end of last year with the submission of each subcommittee’s report to the Division of Boating and Waterways and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

We are urging the administration and the Legislature to incorporate the recommendations into the May budget revise and related budget legislation that will be released in the near future.

For a copy of today’s letter: click here

Governor Brown Re-appoints Two to Boating and Waterways Commission

Governor Jerry Brown has re-appointed David Livingston and Virginia Madueno to the Boating and Waterways Commission.

From the Governor's press release:

David Livingston, 52, of Danville, has been reappointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission, where he has serviced since 2012. Livingston has been sheriff-coroner for Contra Costa County since 2011. He served as chief of police for the City of Concord from 2005 to 2011, City of Pleasant Hill from 2002 to 2005 and for the City of Fremont from 1987 to 2002. Livingston earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Livingston is registered without party preference.

Virginia Madueno, 51, of Riverbank, has been reappointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission, where she has served since 2013. Madueno has been president at Imagen LLC since 2001. She was a member of the Riverbank City Council from 2005 to 2012, serving as mayor from 2009 to 2012. She was a community organizer at Clean Water Action from 2009 to 2011, a marketing manager officer at the Stanislaus County Department for Employment and Training from 1990 to 1997 and was a public information officer at the Stanislaus Chief Executive Office and Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services from 1997 to 2001. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Madueno is a Democrat.