ARTICLE 1.3. Invasive Mussel Infestation Prevention Fee [675. - 677.5.]

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC 1.3.

in effect

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 675. Section 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).

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 676. Section 676.

(a) All moneys deposited in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund pursuant to Section 675 shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the following purposes: (1) For reasonable costs incurred by the department associated with determining the prevention fee and adoption of regulations pursuant to Section 675, and with administering the grants pursuant to subdivision (b). (2) (A) For reasonable costs, not to exceed 15 percent of the remaining revenues deposited into the fund, of the Department of Fish and Wildlife for implementation of subparagraph (A) or (C) of paragraph (2) of, or paragraph (1) of, subdivision (a) of Section 2301 or Section 2302 of the Fish and Game Code in those areas of the state where an invasive mussel infestation prevention plan has not been implemented. (B) The amount specified in subparagraph (A) is in addition to moneys available pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 85.2. (3) An amount not less than 85 percent of the remaining revenues deposited into the fund shall be made available for grants to entities subject to subdivision (a) of Section 2302 of the Fish and Game Code for the reasonable regulatory costs incident to the implementation of an invasive mussel infestation prevention plan implemented either before or after January 1, 2013, that is consistent with the requirements of Section 2302 of the Fish and Game Code. (b) For the purposes of awarding grants pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the department shall do all of the following: (1) Give priority to invasive mussel infestation prevention plans that are consistent with Section 2302 of the Fish and Game Code and that also include visual and manual inspection standards and other infestation prevention procedures consistent with either the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Invasive Mussel Guidebook for Recreational Water Managers and Users, dated September 2010, or the Natural Resource Agency’s Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan, dated January 2008, or subsequently adopted guidebooks and management plans. (2) Take into consideration the benefits of regional-scale invasive mussel infestation prevention plans. (3) Take into consideration the unique economic, ecological, and recreational impacts to rural and urban reservoirs from invasive mussel infestation. (c) For purposes of this article, reasonable regulatory costs include costs associated with the investigation and inspection of a conveyance for the presence of invasive mussels before contact with a reservoir, as defined in Section 6004.5 of the Water Code. None of the revenues collected pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 675 shall be used for any purpose other than those explicitly authorized by this section. (d) For the purposes of this section, conveyances include boats and other watercraft, and associated vehicles, containers, and trailers that may carry or contain adult or larval invasive mussels. (e) As a condition of receiving grant funding pursuant to this section, an entity shall report to the department data, as deemed appropriate by the department, regarding invasive mussel prevention and inspection programs implemented with the funding.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 676.1. Section 676.1.

Any person or entity that manages any aspect of the water in a reservoir, as defined in Section 6004.5 of the Water Code, where recreational, boating, or fishing activities are permitted, shall be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 676 for the reasonable regulatory costs incident to the implementation of an invasive mussel infestation prevention plan as described in Section 676.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 677. Section 677.

This article does not preempt a special district, city, county, or joint powers authority from adopting local regulations or ordinances related to the prevention and eradication of invasive aquatic species.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 677.5. Section 677.5.

For purposes of this article, “invasive mussel” has the same meaning as Section 2303 of the Fish and Game Code.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026