June 17, 2010
SB 889-Senator Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), the bill that seeks to enable DFG to refund suction dredge gold miners their permit money for the cancelled 2009 season, failed passage in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee this week. All of the Republicans on the committee voted in favor of the bill and all of the Democrats voted against it. However, there is a second chance for the bill to be voted on again in 2 weeks. (approx July 1 2010)
Senator Aanestad is willing to ask for a re-vote if miners contact the Democrats on the committee prior to the hearing and voice their support for SB 889 to authorize DFG to refund the FULL amount of the permit.
Miners should call or fax the following Democrat Assembly members on the committee and urge them to vote yes on SB 889 and the FULL refund, not the partial refund that the Democrats proposed.
Assemblymember Jared Huffman (San Rafael) (Committee Chair)
o: 916-319-2006
f: 916-319-2106
Assemblymember Juan Arambula (Fresno)
o: 916-319-2031
f: 916-319-2131
Assemblymember Anna Caballero (Salinas)
o: 916-319-2028
f: 916-319-2128
Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthall (Long Beach)
o: 916-319-2054
f: 916-319-2154
Assemblymember Mary Salas (Chula Vista)
o: 916-319-2079
f: 916-319-2179
Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (Davis)
o: 916-319-2008
f: 916-319-2108
The following Democrat members of the committee were not present on the day SB 889 was voted on. However, it would help to call or fax their offices and urge them to vote yes on SB 889 for the FULL refund.
Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (Van Nuys)
o: 916-319-2040
f: 916-319-2140
Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (South Gate)
o: 916-319-2050
f: 916-319-2150