CA SB1017

Establishes a voluntary permit transition program by March 31, 2020, allowing drift gill net shark and swordfish permit holders to surrender permits in exchange for $10,000 per permit and up to $100,000 for nets, with funding from the Ocean Protection Council ($1 million) and nonstate sources.

Prohibits transfer of drift gill net permits beginning March 31, 2019, and requires all permits to be surrendered or revoked by January 31 of the fourth year following the department's notification that $2 million in total funding has been secured.

Exempts permit transition program participants from the $330 swordfish permit fee and prohibits them from obtaining new California drift gill net permits or operating under federal drift gill net permits.

Authorizes use of fishing lines exceeding 900 feet in length if used as deep-set buoy gear under federal authorization, providing an alternative to drift gill nets for swordfish fishing.

Specifies that drift gill net permits do not create a property right in fish and designates the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Department of Finance, Controller, or other state/federal agencies as potential fiscal agents to manage transition funds.