(a) The purpose of the regulations in Title 2, Division 3, Chapter 1, Article 4.6 of the California Code of Regulations is to move the state expeditiously toward elimination of the discharge of nonindigenous species into the waters of the state or into waters that may impact the waters of the state, based on the best available technology economically achievable.

(b) The provisions of Article 4.6 apply to all vessels arriving at a California port or place carrying ballast water from another port or place within the Pacific Coast Region. For the purposes of Article 4.6 all ports and places in the San Francisco Bay area east of the Golden Gate bridge including the Ports of Stockton and Sacramento, shall be construed as the same California port or place; and the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and the El Segundo marine terminal shall be construed as the same California port or place.

(c) The provisions of Article 4.6 do not apply to vessels that arrive at a California port or place after departing from ports or places outside of the Pacific Coast Region.

(d) The provisions of these regulations become effective 180 days after they have been filed with the Secretary of State.