AB 360

Current law generally prohibits the discharge of pollutants into the waters of

this state without a permit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The

law authorizes DNR to exempt classes or categories of vessels from the prohibition.

Beginning six months after enactment, this bill prohibits the discharge of

ballast water, and sediments that have settled out of ballast water, into the waters

of this state from a vessel that takes on ballast water outside of the waters of this

state without a permit from DNR. A permit must require ballast water and

sediments to be treated to kill or remove aquatic nuisance species and other

organisms, to the extent possible. Aquatic nuisance species are nonnative species

that threaten native species or the ecological stability of waters or that threaten

commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities. The bill requires

DNR to promulgate rules specifying fees for the permits and any additional

requirements it determines are necessary to ensure that aquatic nuisance species do

not enter the waters of this state through discharges.