(a) (1) There is in state government the Invasive Species Council of California. The purpose of the council is to help coordinate a comprehensive effort to prevent the introduction of invasive species in the state and to advise state agencies, including, but not limited to, the department and the Natural Resources Agency, within their respective authorities how to facilitate coordinated, complementary, and cost-effective control or eradication of invasive species that have entered or are already established in the state. The council may address nonnative organisms that cause economic or environmental harm. Invasive species within the scope of the council’s advisory duties do not include humans, domestic livestock, domestic or domesticated species exempted pursuant to Section 2118 of the Fish and Game Code, or nonharmful exotic organisms.

(2) This part shall not prohibit the department from serving as the state’s governing authority in invasive pest and plant management, as specified in this division.

(b) The Invasive Species Council of California shall consist of the following six members:

(1) The secretary or his or her designated representative.

(2) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or his or her designated representative.

(3) The Secretary for Environmental Protection or his or her designated representative.

(4) The Secretary of Transportation or his or her designated representative.

(5) The Secretary of California Health and Human Services or his or her designated representative.

(6) The Director of Emergency Services or his or her designated representative.

(c) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or his or her designated representative and the secretary or his or her designee shall serve as cochairs of the council.

(d) The Invasive Species Council of California shall meet annually and as needed as determined by the cochairs.

(e) The secretary may designate a staff liaison to further the purposes of this part.

(f) (1) The Invasive Species Council of California may establish advisory committees and ad hoc working groups, as necessary, to advise on a broad array of issues related to preventing the introduction of invasive species and providing for their control or eradication, as well as minimizing the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause.

(2) The advisory committees and working groups may consist of representatives from state agencies, federal agencies, county agricultural commissioners, academia, nonprofit organizations, tribal nations, industry representatives, and members of the public.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 870, Sec. 3. (AB 2470) Effective January 1, 2019.)