(a) The commission, the board, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, in consultation with interested stakeholders, shall identify and conduct any other research determined necessary to carry out the requirements of this division. The research may relate to the transport and release of nonindigenous species by vessels, the methods of sampling and monitoring of the nonindigenous species transported or released by vessels, the rate or risk of release or establishment of nonindigenous species in the waters of the state and resulting impacts, and the means by which to reduce or eliminate a release or establishment. The research shall focus on assessing or developing methodologies for treating or otherwise managing ballast water and biofouling to reduce or eliminate the discharge or establishment of nonindigenous species.
(b) The commission may also take samples of ballast water, sediment, and biofouling from arriving vessels subject to this division for research purposes.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 443, Sec. 9. (AB 912) Effective January 1, 2020.)