CFSI Members,
The California Legislature convened its two-year session on January 6. Since then, the Assembly has introduced approximately 1,500 bills, while the Senate has introduced around 850. On average, each bill is amended three times, resulting in more than 7,000 actions that can significantly alter the original intent and potential impact of legislation. By mid-July, the volume of legislative changes reached roughly 1,000 per month, 2,500 per week, and up to 500 per day. Concurrently, a separate and complex state budget process also requires close monitoring.
The California Fisheries and Seafood Institute (CFSI) carefully reviews each measure to evaluate potential benefits or negative implications for our members. We track bills that could directly or indirectly affect the seafood industry and related sectors. Priority issues include minimum wage, access to fisheries and shellfish, greenhouse gas regulations, transportation logistics, fish sales, shellfish production, offshore wind development and its impact on coastal fisheries infrastructure, and aquaculture.
CFSI also engages with a range of state regulatory bodies, including the California Fish and Game Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Coastal Commission, California Resources Agency, and the food and drug branch of the California Department of Public Health.
Additionally, we monitor executive actions from the Governor’s Office, including the “30×30” initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of California’s ocean areas from commercial activity by 2030.
July 18 marked the beginning of the 30-day summer recess. Upon return, lawmakers face a flurry of activity—amendments, negotiations, and occasionally behind-the-scenes maneuvering—to advance priority legislation.
The legislative session concludes on September 12, by which point all bills must be passed, amended, delayed, or shelved. The Governor then has until October 12 to either sign or veto the measures that reach his desk.
Click here to view the current bills monitored by CFSI
If you have any questions or comments about any of these bills, please contact the CFSI office at info@calseafood.net.