California § 675

§ 675.

(a) (1) In addition to the fees imposed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 9853 or Section 9860 of the Vehicle Code, there shall be a separate invasive mussel infestation prevention fee in an amount to be determined by the department as follows: (A) If the invasive mussel infestation prevention fee is due between January 1 and December 31 of any even-numbered year, the fee shall not be more than ten dollars ($10). (B) If the invasive mussel infestation prevention fee is due between January 1 and December 31 of any odd-numbered year, the fee shall not be more than twenty dollars ($20). (2) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for invasive mussel prevention fees that are due for the 2026 calendar year, and every subsequent year thereafter, the following shall apply: (i) If the invasive mussel infestation prevention fee is due between January 1 and December 31 of any even-numbered year, the fee shall not be less than fifteen dollars ($15) and not more than twenty-one dollars ($21). (ii) If the invasive mussel infestation prevention fee is due between January 1 and December 31 of any odd-numbered year, the fee shall not be less than thirty dollars ($30) and not more than forty-two dollars ($42). (B) The amounts in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be adjusted for inflation every odd-numbered year using the California Consumer Price Index to the nearest whole dollar value. (b) In determining the amount of the fee imposed pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall establish, and consult with, a technical advisory group consisting of interested persons, including, but not limited to, recreational boating and reservoir operation representatives. The members of the advisory group shall be appointed by the director. (c) The department shall adopt emergency regulations to prescribe procedures for the collection and use of the invasive mussel infestation prevention fee for the purposes of this article. The emergency regulations shall include rules for administering the grants awarded pursuant to Section 676. (d) All revenues collected from the fee established pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, shall be expended solely for the purposes set forth in Section 676. (e) The fee established pursuant to this section shall not apply to vessels that are used exclusively in marine waters. (1) Upon payment of the fee established pursuant to this section, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue an invasive mussel infestation prevention sticker. (2) Failure to pay the fee established pursuant to this section does not prohibit the Department of Motor Vehicles from issuing registration of a vessel. (3) (A) A vessel operator may be issued a citation for operating a recreational vessel in nonmarine waters without a valid state-issued invasive mussel infestation prevention sticker. (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a vessel that is exempt pursuant to Section 5211 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations shall not be cited pursuant to subparagraph (A).