BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2717
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GOVERNOR'S ITEM VETO
AB 2717 (Hertzberg)
As Amended August 26, 2002
2/3 vote
ASSEMBLY: 67-1 (May 2, 2002) SENATE:
28-2 (August 28, 2002)
ASSEMBLY: 76-1 (August 29, 2002)
Original Committee Reference: W., P. & W.
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to
report to the Legislature on potential opportunities for the use
of seawater and brackish water desalination in California, not
later than July 1, 2004.
The Senate amendments :
1)Change the reporting agency from the Legislative Analyst to
DWR and add details of the Water Desalination Task Force to be
formed to prepare the report.
2)Appropriate $600,000 from the Bosco-Keene Renewable Resources
Investment Fund (Fund) to DWR for the purpose of establishing
the Water Desalination Task Force (Task Force).
EXISTING LAW authorizes DWR to conduct a program of
investigation, study, and evaluation in the field of seawater
desalination, to provide assistance to those seeking to
construct desalination facilities, and after submission of a
written report and upon appropriation from the Legislature, to
finance, construct, and operate desalination facilities.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required the Legislative
Analyst Office (LAO) to submit a report to the Legislature, no
later than July 1, 2003, a study on potential opportunities and
existing impediments for promoting the development of seawater
desalination in California.
FISCAL EFFECT : $600,000 from the Fund to DWR for the purpose of
establishing the Task Force.
AB 2717
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COMMENTS: The Senate version of this bill achieves the same
objective of a study of desalination opportunities in the state,
but changes the responsible agency from LAO to DWR, adds the
requirement of forming a Task Force, and appropriates funds.
GOVERNOR'S ITEM VETO MESSAGE :
I am signing Assembly Bill 2717, however, I am
reducing the appropriation from the renewable
Resources Investment Fund to $100,000.
This bill would require the Department of Water
Resources to convene a Water Desalination task force
to make recommendations related to potential
opportunities for the use of seawater and brackish
water desalination.
The revenues from the Renewable Resources Investment
Fund are below projections and the fund is expected to
have a significant shortfall this year. At a time
when the state is dealing with a $24 billion
shortfall, any available funds should be used for
on-going environmental activities and programs now
supported by the General Fund that would otherwise be
reduced or eliminated.
Studying the potential opportunities and impediments
for the use of water desalination is an important step
toward helping the state meet its water needs.
Therefore, I am directing the Department of Water
Resources to explore funding partnerships with
interested local and private entities to accomplish
this goal.
Analysis Prepared by: Jeff Volberg / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
AB 2717
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