The bill would have provided $5 million in grants to salmon fishermen and $20 million in zero-interest loans to fishermen and coastal businesses such as ice houses, bait shops and others that depend on the beleaguered industry. The money would be on top of emergency funds they already are entitled to under a recent federal disaster declaration.

Most West Coast salmon fishermen are expected to land just 12 percent of their normal harvest this year after the federal government imposed severe restrictions.

In a statement, Schwarzenegger blasted the Legislature for not taking action on the relief package.

"It is a great disappointment and mistake for the Legislature to block the passage of this important legislation," Schwarzenegger said. "We cannot turn our back on those in need of this vital relief package or force these Californians to wait for federal help."

A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said the governor's office had waited too long to work out an agreement with opponents of the bill. As a result, lawmakers would need to grant the bill a rare rule waiver and other exceptions to bring it to a vote.

Lawmakers have not done so in at least two years, spokesman Steve Maviglio said.

He put the blame squarely on the administration. He also called the bill a poor attempt by the administration to make up for Schwarzenegger's inability to more quickly secure federal relief for salmon fishermen.

"The administration typically didn't do their homework and waited until the 11th hour to address this," Maviglio said. "This speaks more to their ineptness in securing federal funds than fixing the problem. If the governor had spent a little more time in the Capitol or in Washington, D.C., lobbying, we'd have already solved this problem."

Ryan Broddrick, director of the California Department of Fish and Game, said he was surprised Tuesday to learn Nunez and others would not grant the rule waiver. He said he believed the administration had reached a deal with legislative leaders to bring the measure to a vote.

On Aug. 10, after months of prodding by Schwarzenegger, Oregon's governor and members of Congress, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez declared commercial salmon fishing a failure off Oregon and California.

Salmon returns have diminished due to drought, poor ocean conditions, water management issues, disease and the elimination of access to historical spawning habitat.

The federal government in April sharply reduced the commercial salmon fishing seasons off Oregon and California to protect struggling returns of wild fall chinook salmon in the Klamath River.

There is no commercial fishing on 400 miles of coast straddling the mouth of the Klamath and strictly limited fishing on another 300 miles.

The move earlier this month by the commerce secretary enabled states to seek federal aid. Some officials said that assistance could top $80 million, but Broddrick said Congress has yet to appropriate funding for the fishermen. He said they may not receive any aid until next year.

"Our plan is broader and reaches into the community deeper" Broddrick said. "We don't think we're crying wolf on this issue. The impact on the fishermen has been getting progressively worse over the past three to four years and is very significant and is happening now."

The bill's author, state Sen. Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, remains hopeful the legislation will be heard before the current legislative session ends Thursday, spokeswoman Annette Porino said.

Absent the state relief package, Schwarzenegger said his administration would look for ways to expand a small business loan program to help the fishermen.