(a) If an experimental permit is revoked or not renewed, pursuant to a judgment, a decision of the commission, or a legislative enactment, and the permittee has an outstanding loan with the State Coastal Conservancy under Section 31125 of the Public Resources Code, as added by Chapter 910 of the Statutes of 1986, for the purchase of alternative fishing gear, the unpaid balance of the loan shall be excused from the date of revocation or nonrenewal of the permit, or from the date of any judgment, decision, or enactment which terminates the permit, if the permittee relinquishes the permit and returns the collateral fishing gear to the department, in which case the department shall take possession of the alternative fishing gear for the State Coastal Conservancy. Any alternative gear received by the department due to a revocation, nonrenewal, or termination of an experimental permit may be resold by the State Coastal Conservancy at fair market value to other experimental permit applicants or holders under this article. If the permittee chooses to keep the alternative gear and repay the loan, the rate of interest shall be reduced to 3 percent for the remaining balance of the loan.
(b) If the Legislature approves the permanent use or type of gear and the commercial fishing permit or the license for the permanent use or type of gear is revoked for a violation of the terms and conditions under which the fishery is conducted, the permittee shall be responsible for any remaining balance on any outstanding loan with the State Coastal Conservancy for the purchase of alternative fishing gear.
(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 677, Sec. 2.4. Effective October 9, 1991.)