Invasive Species Council Of California - Plant Quarantine And Pest Control - CA Food And Agriculture Code

Section § 7700

The Invasive Species Council of California is a state government body aimed at preventing and controlling invasive species. The council advises state agencies on cost-effective strategies to manage these species, emphasizes prevention and early detection, and uses integrated pest management for existing threats. It consists of six members from various state departments and meets annually, with additional meetings as needed.

The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency and the main secretary serve as co-chairs. The council can create advisory committees and working groups involving experts from different sectors to tackle invasive species issues and minimize their negative impacts. Invasive species are defined as nonnative organisms that potentially harm the economy or environment, excluding humans and domestic animals.

(a)

(1) There is in state government the Invasive Species Council of California. The purpose of the council is to help coordinate a comprehensive effort to prevent the introduction of invasive species in the state and to advise state agencies, including, but not limited to, the department and the Natural Resources Agency, within their respective authorities how to facilitate coordinated, complementary, and cost-effective control or eradication of invasive species that have entered or are already established in the state.

(2) In all activities of the council pursuant to this part, the council shall prioritize all of the following:

(A) Exclusion and prevention practices to keep invasive species from entering the state.

(B) Early detection and rapid response to keep invasive species of limited distribution from spreading in the state.

(C) Integrated pest management for controlling invasive species already established in the state.

(3) This part shall not prohibit the department from serving as the state’s governing authority in invasive pest and plant management, as specified in this division.

(b) The Invasive Species Council of California shall consist of the following six members:

(1) The secretary or their designated representative.

(2) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or their designated representative.

(3) The Secretary for Environmental Protection or their designated representative.

(4) The Secretary of Transportation or their designated representative.

(5) The Secretary of California Health and Human Services or their designated representative.

(6) The Director of Emergency Services or their designated representative.

(c) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or their designated representative and the secretary or their designee shall serve as cochairs of the council.

(d) The Invasive Species Council of California shall meet annually and as needed as determined by the cochairs.

(e) The secretary may designate a staff liaison to further the purposes of this part.

(f)

(1) The Invasive Species Council of California may establish advisory committees and ad hoc working groups, as necessary, to advise on a broad array of issues related to preventing the introduction of invasive species and providing for their control or eradication, as well as minimizing the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause.

(2) The advisory committees and working groups may consist of representatives from state agencies, federal agencies, county agricultural commissioners, academia, nonprofit organizations, tribal nations, industry representatives, and members of the public.

(g) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Integrated pest management” has the same meaning as defined in Section 11401.7.

(2) “Invasive species” means nonnative organisms that cause, or are likely to cause, economic or environmental harm. “Invasive species” does not include humans, domestic livestock, domestic or domesticated species exempted pursuant to Section 2118 of the Fish and Game Code, or nonharmful nonnative organisms.

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(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 720, Sec. 1. (AB 2509) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 7702

This law sets the responsibilities of the Invasive Species Council of California once funds are allocated to the Invasive Species Account. The Council can recommend and facilitate various projects aimed at preventing, detecting, and managing invasive species. This includes aiding agencies, enhancing inspections, and conducting surveys to map high-risk areas.

They are also tasked with educating the public, improving cross-agency cooperation, and developing action plans to manage invasive species effectively. Annually, they host a summit to discuss and refine strategies. Additionally, the Council must prepare a report on their activities and recommendations, which they submit to both the Legislature and Governor.

Upon the appropriation or transfer of adequate moneys to the Invasive Species Account, created pursuant to Section 7706, the Invasive Species Council of California may make recommendations on invasive species projects and activities, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(a) To assist state, federal, and local agencies to prevent the introduction of invasive species.

(b) To relevant state agencies and departments regarding any of the following:

(1) Detection, control, and eradication of invasive species, including emergency and nonemergency detection and rapid response.

(2) Development and maintenance of statewide surveys and mapping of high-risk areas.

(3) Improvement of inspections at state and national boundaries to prevent the introduction of invasive species.

(c) To develop comprehensive reports on the ecological, agricultural, and economic impacts of invasive species.

(d) To develop statewide education, outreach, and branding of invasive species.

(e) To increase coordination and collaboration among invasive species partners.

(f) To develop statewide invasive species action plans, including the plan required pursuant to Section 7708.

(g) To host an annual California Invasive Species Summit to develop new recommendations and to coordinate invasive species activities.

(h)

(1) To develop a report containing activities of the Invasive Species Council of California and recommendations to improve invasive species management.

(2) The council shall submit the report developed pursuant to this subdivision to the Legislature and the Governor.

(3) A report to be submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

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(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 870, Sec. 3. (AB 2470) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Section § 7704

This law allows the Invasive Species Council of California to create the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee with 19 members. These members include four selected by the council's secretary, four by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, and one each by the Secretaries for Environmental Protection, Transportation, and Health and Human Services, plus the Director of Emergency Services. Additionally, six members are appointed by the council's cochairs to ensure diversity from federal, nonprofit, tribal, industry, and other groups. One member is also chosen by the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association.

The Invasive Species Council of California may establish the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee, which shall consist of the following 19 members:

(a) Four members designated by the secretary.

(b) Four members designated by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or his or her designated representative.

(c) One member appointed by the Secretary for Environmental Protection or his or her designated representative.

(d) One member appointed by the Secretary of Transportation or his or her designated representative.

(e) One member appointed by the Secretary of California Health and Human Services or his or her designated representative.

(f) One member appointed by the Director of Emergency Services or his or her designated representative.

(g) Six members appointed by the cochairs of the Invasive Species Council of California to create a diverse makeup of federal, nonprofit organization, tribal, industry, and other representatives.

(h) One member appointed by the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association.

Invasive Species Council California Invasive Species Advisory Committee Natural Resources Agency Environmental Protection Secretary of Transportation California Health and Human Services Emergency Services federal representatives nonprofit organization representatives tribal representatives industry representatives California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 870, Sec. 3. (AB 2470) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Section § 7706

This law establishes the Invasive Species Account within the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. Money in this account can be used, once the Legislature approves it, to fund projects and activities related to managing invasive species, as advised by the Invasive Species Council of California.

The funds can be allocated by the secretary and are not restricted by fiscal year limitations, meaning they can be spent at any time.

(a) The Invasive Species Account is hereby established in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. Moneys in the account are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the secretary for the purposes of funding invasive species projects and activities recommended by the Invasive Species Council of California.

(b) Moneys in the Invasive Species Account appropriated by the Legislature for allocation by the secretary for the purposes of this part may be allocated without regard to fiscal year.

Invasive Species Account Department of Food and Agriculture funding invasive species Invasive Species Council California state fund Legislature appropriation projects and activities fiscal year budget allocation environmental management pest control flora and fauna protection government funding ecological preservation

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 870, Sec. 3. (AB 2470) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Section § 7708

This law section involves the Invasive Species Council of California coordinating with various entities to create a plan to manage and reduce diseases caused by the invasive shot hole borers, specifically the Polyphagous and Kuroshio types. Once the plan is completed, the Department will help state and local agencies, tribes, and nonprofits combat these diseases, as long as there's funding available. This assistance can include grants for research on identifying infected trees and preventing infestation, as well as funding direct efforts to tackle these diseases. Local agencies must match state funding with their own resources unless they are in disadvantaged communities.

(a) The Invasive Species Council of California shall coordinate with state and local public agencies, publicly funded educational institutions, and stakeholder groups to develop a plan for the cure or suppression of diseases associated with the spread of invasive shot hole borers, including, but not limited to, the Polyphagous and Kuroshio shot hole borers.

(b)

(1) Upon the completion of the plan required pursuant to subdivision (a), the department, subject to the availability of appropriations for those specified purposes, shall support the efforts of state and local agencies, California Native American tribes, and nonprofits to cure or suppress the diseases affiliated with the invasive shot hole borer infestation as provided in paragraph (2).

(2) Support provided by the department pursuant to this section may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(A) Grants to support research related to the identification of infected trees and methods to prevent further infestation.

(B) Grants to state and local agencies, California Native American tribes, and nonprofits to support suppression or cure efforts.

(c) No state moneys shall be awarded to a local agency pursuant to subdivision (b) unless the local agency has contributed from local resources a dollar amount that is equal to the dollar amount of state moneys to be awarded or the local agency is located in a disadvantaged community, as identified pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.

Invasive Species Council shot hole borers disease suppression Polyphagous borer Kuroshio borer research grants infestation prevention local agency matching funds California Native American tribes nonprofit support disadvantaged communities tree infection identification state and local coordination stakeholder groups infestation management

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 870, Sec. 3. (AB 2470) Effective January 1, 2019.)