CA SB1251

Requires the Ocean Protection Council and Wildlife Conservation Board to enter into a memorandum of agreement to jointly establish an Aquatic Invasive Species Working Group for developing and implementing an aquatic invasive species control program

Working group shall be chaired by a member of the council or its executive director appointed by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency and include representatives from county agricultural commissioners, horticultural groups, environmental organizations, aquaculture, marinas, shipping, recreational boating, harbors/ports, fishing interests, public water agencies, and other stakeholder groups

Working group shall utilize a science panel of 3-6 members with aquatic invasive species expertise, including at least one University of California representative, serving in an advisory capacity

Requires the working group to submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature by January 1, 2014, containing recommendations for future legislation and a statewide approach to managing aquatic invasive species, with the reporting requirement becoming inoperative January 1, 2018

Working group shall recommend priority species for resource allocation, identify funding sources including possible fees on activities contributing to invasive species, and may establish subcommittees focused on specific species or regions