SACRAMENTO -- State lawmakers are contemplating the creation of a new "naval militia" to be drawn from Navy, Marine and Coast Guard reserves, the Sacramento Bee reported Sunday.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed two new laws extending fringe benefits to the militia, even though the agency doesn't formally exist. The legislation, though, sets the stage for a new dual federally trained force that could be activated during a state emergency like the National Guard.

While the National Guard's members are affiliates of the U.S. Army and Air Force, however, the California Naval Militia would be reserves from the Navy, Marine Corps and, to a lesser extent, from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Extensive deployment of National Guard troops to Iraq, coupled with the potential for local terrorism, has increased momentum to create a new federally trained force that could be activated quickly in a state emergency.

The militia could help patrol the state's water ways and provide specialized services, such as underwater diving.

"I think it's an outstanding idea," said state Brig. Gen. Thomas Swidler. Swidler heads the State Military Reserve, which has extensively researched the concept. "It fills in a gap, gives us resources we don't currently have. And it's tremendously effective from a cost viewpoint."

Schwarzenegger has taken no public position on creating a naval militia, but the idea has been percolating within the state Military Department for nearly a year, the Bee reported. Officials say a militia conceivably could be created in 2005.