HB 1876 Summary

• Designates the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) as the lead agency for preventing introduction of alien aquatic organisms through ballast water and vessel hull biofouling, and requires (rather than permits) the department to establish an interagency team and adopt rules with penalties.

• Requires the Governor to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard operates to enforce federal water pollution control standards under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 and co-enforce state aquatic biosecurity regulations.

• Deems federal regulations on ballast water, vessel biofouling, and hull in-water cleaning adopted by the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency as state rules, with DLNR required to formally adopt modifying rules and establish penalties for violations.

• Appropriates $156,078 for fiscal year 2020-2021 to fund five staff positions: one Biologist V, one Program Specialist IV, one General Professional IV, two Biologists IV, and associated benefits.

• Appropriates $200,100 for fiscal year 2020-2021 for operating expenditures including laboratory work contracts, equipment, supplies, and travel costs related to aquatic biosecurity operations.