RBOC Lobbies State Legislators on 2019 Boating Issues

Recreational Boaters of California [RBOC] held its annual legislative day in Sacramento on February 27, with attendees visiting and advocating on the 2019 state legislation in more than 40 meetings in the offices of Senators and Assembly Members in the State Capitol.

Constituent and issue-specific meetings with state legislators covered an array of policy issues directly impacting boaters including:

• State Parks Reorganization Plan

• Boater Funds Dedicated to Boater Programs

• Regulatory Overreach [BCDC]

• Copper-based Anti-fouling Paints

• Boating and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta [California WaterFix]

• Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation – AB 1111 [Friedman]

• Statutory Definition of Boat Operator – AB 1183 [Ramos]

• Vessel Impoundment – BUI – SB 393 [Stone]

• Boater Rights Aboard Their Vessels – AB 1718 [Levine] and SB 8 [Glazer]

• Chemical Toilet Deodorants – SB 317 [Caballero]

• 12-Month Fishing Licenses – AB 1227 [Obernolte] and AB 1387 [Wood]

For the Boater Issue Update on these issues: click here

Govenor Vetoes Proposed Ban on Smoking in State Parks, on State Beaches

Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed AB 725 [Levine] and SB 386 [Glazer], measures that would have banned smoking in state parks and on state beaches.

The Governor issued identical veto messages on each measure:

"The bill prohibits smoking on state coastal beaches and throughout the State Park System, and requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to post signs to notify the public of the smoking ban.

"Last year I vetoed Senate Bill 1333, a similar measure, because I believed that such a far-reaching prohibition in every state park and on every state beach was too broad.

 "In addition, the fine prescribed in this bill for lighting one cigarette is excessive: over $250 dollars [AB 725] $485 [SB 386], after the mandatory assessments."

"If people can't smoke even on a deserted beach, where can they? There must be some limit to the coercive power of government."