Fish and wildlife: aquatic invasive species: Caulerpa.

Existing law prohibits a person from selling, possessing, importing, transporting, transferring, releasing alive in the state, or giving away without consideration the salt water algae of enumerated Caulerpa species, except possession for bona fide scientific research, as provided. Existing law subjects any person who violates these provisions to a specified civil penalty and to specified infraction or misdemeanor penalties. This bill would instead prohibit a person from selling, possessing, importing, transporting, transferring, releasing alive in the state, or giving away without consideration all salt water algae of the genus Caulerpa, except that possession for bona fide scientific research. Because this bill expands the scope of conduct subject to criminal penalties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.