BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Tom Torlakson, Chairman
224 (Wolk)
Hearing Date: 8/20/07 Amended: 8/1/07
Consultant: Miriam Barcellona IngenitoPolicy Vote: EQ 4-3
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AB 224 (Wolk)
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BILL SUMMARY: AB 224 would enact the Climate Change and Water
Resource Protection Act of 2007.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Fund
SWRCB reports $98 $195 $195 General
DWR: new staff $261 $521 $521 General
DWR: contracts $500 General
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STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria for referral to
the Suspense file.
AB 224 would require the Department of Water Resources (DWR), as
part of its statewide water resource management
responsibilities, to include an analysis of the potential
effects of climate change, as specified, in certain reports. AB
224 would also require DWR to identify specified information
regarding climate change and water resources for the state and
all 10 of the state's hydrologic regions for use by state and
local agencies for specified purposes.
Proposition 84 would make $100 million in bond funds available
to DWR, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for long term
water needs and funding for grants for projects that assist
local public agencies. AB 224 would prohibit DWR from approving
a grant request for any of those monies after January 1, 2010,
unless there is consideration of certain information regarding
climate change including in the request; the bill identifies
exceptions.
AB 224 would require DWR to submit a report to the Governor and
the Legislature by January 1, 2009 that quantifies the energy
savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions associated with
water supply development, as specified. The State Water
Resources Control Board (SWRCB) would be required to conduct the
analysis of recycled water and DWR would be responsible for the
analysis of all other water supply development alternatives.
AB 224 (Wolk)
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AB 224 would also require an urban water supplier and an
agricultural water supplier that is required to prepare a water
management plan to take certain action relating to specified
climate change information. DWR maintains an Urban Guidebook to
assist urban suppliers in developing their urban water
management plans.
SWRCB estimates its costs associated with AB 224 would be about
$98,000 in the first year and $195,000 in subsequent fiscal
years. This would include one-half of a position to consult with
DWR on the energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions
associated with water supply development; and about $65,000 in
the first year and $130,000 in the out-years to include climate
change in its triennial reports.
DWR estimates its costs would be about $1 million annually,
including $500,000 in contracts and three new positions at DWR.
The contract monies would be used for data collection and
information development and review for the hydrologic
region-specific information required to be compiled by July 1,
2008.