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AB 1772CALIFORNIASession 20252026
High Impact

California AB 1772 mandates $20 fee for nonmotorized vessels and expands invasive mussel inspection requirements

Original title: Fish and wildlife: invasive species: invasive mussels.

August 13, 2026

Fish and WildlifeInvasive SpeciesBoatingWater ManagementEnvironmental RegulationFishandwildlifeinvasivemusselsinvasivespecies

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The Frame

What this does

The bill imposes new costs and compliance obligations on nonmotorized boaters and water supply agencies while creating new criminal penalties for failing to adhere to updated invasive species prevention protocols.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Nonmotorized vessel owners

They are required to pay a $20 biennial fee and display a state-issued sticker.

Water supply system operators

They must update invasive mussel control plans to include all species detected after January 1, 2026.

Waterbody managers

They are required to use a state-mandated data sharing system to track vessel movement.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

This bill requires owners of nonmotorized vessels to pay a $20 fee every two years for an invasive mussel prevention sticker and establishes a new state-run inspection and decontamination program for watercraft. It also expands existing requirements for water supply system operators to update their invasive species control plans and mandates specific drying periods for watercraft before launching.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

The bill imposes new costs and compliance obligations on nonmotorized boaters and water supply agencies while creating new criminal penalties for failing to adhere to updated invasive species prevention protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a sticker for my kayak or canoe?
Yes, under this bill, nonmotorized vessels would require a $20 invasive mussel infestation prevention sticker, valid for two years.
What happens if I don't have the sticker?
Vessel operators can be issued a citation for operating a nonmotorized vessel in nonmarine waters without a valid sticker.
What is the new drying period requirement?
The bill prohibits launching a until a specified drying period has been completed to prevent the spread of invasive species.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Connected Entities

otherNonmotorized Vessel Invasive Mussel Infestation Prevention Account“New fund created to hold vessel fee revenue.”Map →
organizationDepartment of Fish and Wildlife“Administers the inspection program and mussel control plan requirements.”Map →
otherHarbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund“Parent fund for the new accounts.”Map →
otherNonmotorized Vessel Invasive Mussel Infestation Prevention Penalty Account“New fund created to hold citation revenue.”Map →
organizationDivision of Boating and Waterways“Issues stickers and manages funds related to vessel fees.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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