California § 71200 - Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the const
Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 71200 — Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the const, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 71200. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the const
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this division: (a) âBallast tankâ means a tank or hold on a vessel used for carrying ballast water, whether or not the tank or hold was designed for that purpose. (b) âBallast waterâ means water and suspended matter taken on board a vessel to control or maintain trim, draft, stability, or stresses of the vessel, without regard to the manner in which it is carried. (c) âBiofoulingâ means the attachment or association of marine organisms to the wetted portion of a vessel or its appurtenances, including, but not limited to, sea chests, propellers, anchors, and associated chains. (d) âBoardâ means the State Water Resources Control Board. (e) âCoastal watersâ means estuarine and ocean waters within 200 nautical miles of land or less than 2,000 meters (6,560 feet, 1,093 fathoms) deep, and rivers, lakes, or other water bodies navigably connected to the ocean. (f) âCommissionâ means the State Lands Commission. (g) âEEZâ means exclusive economic zone, which extends from the baseline of the territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 nautical miles. (h) âExchangeâ means to replace the water in a ballast tank using either of the following methods: (1) âFlow through exchange,â which means to flush out ballast water by pumping three full volumes of mid-ocean water through the tank, continuously displacing water from the tank, to minimize the number of original coastal organisms remaining in the tank. (2) âEmpty/refill exchange,â which means to pump out, until the tank is empty or as close to 100 percent empty as is safe to do so, the ballast water taken on in ports, or estuarine or territorial waters, then to refill the tank with mid-ocean waters. (i) âLandâ means the material of the earth, whether soil, rock, or other substances, that sits landward of, or at an elevation higher than, the mean high-tide line of the ocean, including any rock outcroppings or islands located offshore. (j) âMid-ocean watersâ means waters that are more than 200 nautical miles from land and at least 2,000 meters (6,560 feet, 1,093 fathoms) deep. (k) âNonindigenous speciesâ means any species, including, but not limited to, the seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of reproducing that species, or any other viable biological material that enters an ecosystem beyond its historic range, including any of those organisms transferred from one country into another. (l) âPacific Coast Regionâ means all coastal waters on the Pacific Coast of North America east of 154 degrees W longitude and north of 20 degrees N latitude, inclusive, of the Gulf of California. (m) âPersonâ means an individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, business concern, or corporation, including, but not limited to, a government corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or association. âPersonâ also means a city, county, city and county, district, commission, the state, or a department, agency, or political subdivision of the state, an interstate body, or the United States and its agencies and instrumentalities, to the extent permitted by law. (n) âPortâ means any port or place in which a vessel was, is, or will be anchored or moored, or where a vessel will transfer cargo. (o) âSedimentsâ means matter settled out of ballast water within a vessel. (p) âVessel agentâ means the party representing the vesselâs owner or operator in port. A vessel agent may also be referred to as agent, marine agent, ship agent, or shipping agent. (q) âWaters of the stateâ means surface waters, including saline waters, that are within the boundaries of the state. (r) âWetted portion of a vesselâ means all parts of a vesselâs hull and structures that are either submerged in water when the vessel is loaded to the deepest permissible legal draft or associated with internal piping structures in contact with water taken onboard. (s) âVesselâ means a vessel of 300 gross registered tons or more. (t) âVoyageâ means any transit by a vessel destined for a California port from a port outside of the coastal waters of the state.
Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About California § 71200
What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 71200 cover?
Section 71200 ("Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the const") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite California § 71200?
A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 71200" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of California law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.
How does California § 71200 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.