BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Tom Torlakson, Chairman
224 (Wolk)
Hearing Date: 8/7/08 Amended: 8/4/08
Consultant: Miriam Barcellona IngenitoPolicy Vote: NR&W 5-3: EQ
5-2
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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 2008.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Fund
DWR: new staff $250 $500 $500 General
DWR: contracts $500 General
SWRCB reports $198 $195 $130 General
CEC: consulting on report $300 $300 General
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STAFF COMMENTS: 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 reports it is
required to prepare.
By July 1, 2009, AB 224 also would 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 and place that information on its Internet site, as
practicable.
AB 224 would prohibit DWR from approving a request for grant
funds from Proposition 84 bond monies that are available for
funding grants for projects that assist local public agencies in
meeting long term water needs after January 1, 2011, unless
there is consideration of certain information regarding climate
change included 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, 2010 that quantifies and compares
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
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AB 224 (Wolk)
development alternatives. SWRCB estimates it would require a
half of one position-year and $100,000 in contract funds for
this purpose.
AB 224 would require the SWRCB and regional boards to consider,
as specified, the foreseeable effects of climate change on the
water quality of the basin into the Triennial Review process.
SWRCB estimates it would require one position-year, distributed
among SWRCB and the nine regional boards.
Additionally, AB 224 would require an urban water supplier that
is required to prepare a water management plan to take certain
action relating to specified climate change information by July
1, 2009.
DWR estimates its costs to implement AB 224 would be about $1
million, including $500,000 for contract staff to meet the July
1, 2009 date for information to be available for other state and
local agency use.
AB 224 would require DWR to collaborate with the Energy
Resources Conservation and Development Commission (CEC) on the
energy and greenhouse gas impacts of various water-related
strategies. CEC estimates that this would be a significant
undertaking and estimates it require one additional
position-year ($130,000) and $500,000 in contract dollars for
one year to assist in the report preparation with DWR.