California state legislators begin to vet 2018 proposals

SACRAMENTO — Legislators in Sacramento continue to review bills proposed during first few weeks of 2018, with many proposals to be heard in front of committee as winter prepares to transition into spring. Consideration of a proposal seeking to clarify language within one of the state’s fishery laws is being delayed, while a state senator wants to update the definition of “machinery” in the context of vessel use. One bill in the Assembly appears to be recommending cosmetic changes to already existing law on environmental data reporting requirements.   SB 1017 – Marine Fisheries Observer A bill introduced State Sen. Ben Allen – D-Santa Monica – to clarify language within the Marine Life Management Act of 1998 could be on hold. A committee hearing originally scheduled for March 13 was canceled, according to legislative records. It is unclear why the committee hearing was canceled and whether Senate Bill 1017 (SB 1017) will be back on the docket again. SB 1017 proposed to update state law by specifically defining the word “observer” in the context of managing California’s sport and commercial marine fisheries. “Observer,” according to SB 1017, would be “an independent specialist who serves aboard a commercial fishing vessel for the purpose of monitoring catch and bycatch.”   SB 1247...