Fish and wildlife: invasive mussels: imported water.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for violations, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Stopping Invasive Mussels in California

This law gives the state exclusive authority over invasive mussels and restricts local governments from making their own rules about them unless allowed by state law. It also prevents public agencies from stopping water deliveries due to invasive mussels without proof of a health risk.

What This Bill Does

• Gives the state full control over regulations concerning invasive mussels.
• Prohibits local governments from creating rules about invasive mussels unless explicitly permitted by state laws.
• Prevents public agencies from stopping water deliveries due to invasive mussels without substantial evidence of a health risk.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local governments in California
• Public agencies managing water supplies

Terms To Know

Invasive Mussels

Mussels that are not native to an area and can harm the environment.

Public Agency

A government organization or department that provides services like water management.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify penalties for breaking these rules.
• It is unclear how the state will enforce its authority over invasive mussels.

Official Summary Text

AB 1894, as amended, Blanca Rubio.
Fish and wildlife: invasive
mussels.
mussels: imported water.
Existing law, until January 1, 2030, generally prohibits a person from possessing, importing, shipping, or transporting in the state, or from placing, planting, or causing to be placed or planted in any water within the state, invasive mussels, and authorizes the Director of Fish and Wildlife, or the director’s designee, to engage in various enforcement activities with regard to invasive mussels. Existing law, until January 1, 2030, requires a public or private agency that operates a water supply system to cooperate with the department to implement measures to avoid infestation by invasive mussels and to control or eradicate any infestation that occurs in a water supply system. Existing law requires any person, or federal, state, or local agency, district, or authority that owns or manages a reservoir, where specified activities are permitted, except as specified, to develop and
implement a program designed to prevent the introduction of invasive mussel species, as provided. Existing law requires any entity that discovers invasive mussels within the state to immediately report the discovery to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
This bill would
provide that, notwithstanding any other law, the state has exclusive authority to regulate invasive mussels. The bill would prohibit a city, county, district, or other local agency from adopting, enforcing, or implementing any ordinance, rule, regulation, policy, or other declaratory action pertaining to invasive mussels unless expressly authorized by state law.
prohibit a public agency from prohibiting imported water deliveries, as defined, for groundwater replenishment due to invasive mussels unless there is substantial, documented
evidence of a proven health and safety risk as a result of the invasive mussels.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities and counties, including charter cities and charter counties.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF