UPDATE: RBOC CALL-TO-ARMS!

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Below "please find the RBOC Call-to-Arms requesting that boaters contact their Assembly Members immediately and urge them to vote “no" on SB 436 [Jackson].

The instructions - sample letter document is also attached separately in Word.

SB 436 would open up the boater-financed state Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] for a non-boating purpose: the prevention of damage to streets and property within cities caused by beach erosion and flooding, including $1 million for streets and property located along Hueneme Beach.

Quick action is needed – this bill was just created through amendments on September 6 and we anticipate it will be acted upon before the Legislature recesses this first year of the 2013-2014 legislative session on Friday, September 13.

While RBOC recognizes the importance of prevention efforts at Hueneme Beach, boaters are not the source of the damage, nor are we the beneficiaries of the prevention efforts that would be financed by our fuel tax dollars and registration fees.

As the Department of Boating and Waterways has now become a Division within the Department of Parks and Recreation effective July 1 as per the provisions of GRP #2 of 2012, it is critical that the transition preserves and maintains the integrity, vitality, structure, funding and effectiveness of the HWRF that works to provide programs and services that directly benefit the boaters who provide our hard-earned taxes and fees for this special fund. SB 436 is contrary to these principles.

Jerry Desmond, Jr., Esq.
Director of Government Relations
Recreational Boaters of California
www.RBOC.org "
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"SB 436 - Boater Funds for Non-Boating Programs
September 10, 2013
Instructions –
• Identify your Assembly Member and his her contact information:
http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
• Click onto the link to your Assembly Member's website. This site will provide the phone number and usually a contact form for emails.
• Use the sample text below for an email, fax or phone call to your Assembly Member. Make sure to identify yourself as a constituent.
• Please submit ASAP, quick action is needed – this bill was just created through amendments on September 6 and we anticipate it will be acted upon before the Legislature recesses this first year of the 2013-2014 legislative session on Friday, September 13.

The Honorable [insert name]
State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: SB 436 [Jackson] – Oppose

New Bill Created on September 6 - Boater Funds for Non-boating Programs

Dear Assembly Member [insert name]:

I am a constituent and I urge you to vote “no" on SB 436 [Jackson] when this bill is taken up on Assembly Third Reading.

I am seriously concerned that SB 436 would open up the boater-financed state Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] for a non-boating purpose: the prevention of damage to streets and property within cities caused by beach erosion and flooding, including $1 million for streets and property located along Hueneme Beach.

While I recognize the importance of prevention efforts at Hueneme Beach, boaters are not the source of the damage, nor are we the beneficiaries of the prevention efforts that would be financed by our fuel tax dollars and registration fees.

As the Department of Boating and Waterways has now become a Division within the Department of Parks and Recreation effective July 1 as per the provisions of GRP #2 of 2012, it is critical that the transition preserves and maintains the integrity, vitality, structure, funding and effectiveness of the HWRF that works to provide programs and services that directly benefit the boaters who provide our hard-earned taxes and fees for this special fund. SB 436 is contrary to these principles.

Thank you for this opportunity to discuss my position on this bill.

[name]
[insert street address, city state zip so Member can confirm you are a constituent]
 
"Key Amendment Made to SB 436 Prior to Passage

RBOC is very appreciative with the amendments made to SB 436 on September 11 before the bill proceeded through the Legislature at the end of session.

Stated RBOC President Jack Michael: “While RBOC has not yet removed our opposition to SB 436 at this moment, we do confirm and acknowledge that the amendment resolves our most significant issue: opening up the boater-financed state Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] for a non-boating purpose: the prevention of damage to streets and property within cities caused by beach erosion and flooding.

“The remaining provision in SB 436 would still authorize a grant or loan of $1,000,000 from the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund to pay for emergency measures to prevent flood damage and erosion to streets and property along Hueneme Beach. This is not a use that directly benefits the boaters who pay their hard-earned taxes and registration fees into the Fund.”

RBOC appreciates the efforts of the many California boaters who reached out to their legislative representatives in the State Capitol in the final days of session and made the significant amendment possible. BoatU.S. and its members played a vital role in this effort.

Jerry Desmond, Jr., Esq.
Director of Government Relations
Recreational Boaters of California"

WWW.RBOC.ORG
 
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