BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2304
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2304 (Huffman)
As Amended August 12, 2010
Majority vote
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|ASSEMBLY: |49-27|(June 2, 2010) |SENATE: |22-12|(August 25, |
| | | | | |2010) |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Original Committee Reference: W., P. & W.
SUMMARY : Requires a local agency to include in its groundwater
management plan (GMP), commencing January 1, 2012, a map
identifying areas that substantially contribute to the
replenishment of the groundwater basin and explaining how those
recharge areas contribute. Requires a local agency proposing to
adopt a GMP to provide specific information to DWR and
interested persons as well as public notice of the intention to
adopt the GMP.
The Senate Amendments require that:
1)A local agency, within 30 days after it adopts a resolution of
intention to adopt a GMP, provide a copy of that resolution to
the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and contact
information for the person in charge of drafting the GMP.
2)A local agency, prior to its hearing to adopt a GMP, provide a
copy of the GMP, including maps identifying recharge areas, to
those who request it in writing.
3)DWR post on its Internet Web site information it has collected
regarding GMPs.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Encourages local agencies to work cooperatively to manage
groundwater resources within their jurisdictions and, if not
otherwise required by law, to voluntarily adopt GMPs.
2)Requires a GMP to contain components related to funding,
management, and monitoring in order for a local agency to be
eligible for groundwater project funds administered by DWR.
AB 2304
Page 2
3)Requires all of the groundwater basins identified in DWR's
Bulletin 118 to be regularly and systematically monitored and
the information to be readily and widely available.
4)Makes entities managing groundwater, including local agencies
that are monitoring groundwater pursuant to a groundwater
management plan, eligible for state water grants and loans.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill added subbasin to the
definition of groundwater basin and required a GMP to include a
map identifying the recharge areas for the groundwater basin. A
local agency could request state funds to map groundwater
recharge areas consistent with the eligibility requirements of
those funds. A local agency proposing to adopt a GMP was
required to provide interested persons with notice regarding the
adoption hearing and, if requested, information about the plan,
including maps identifying recharge areas.
FISCAL EFFECT : Nonfiscal
COMMENTS : The Senate version of this bill retains almost all of
the Assembly-approved provisions but clarifies that a local
agency seeking funding from DWR for groundwater projects,
including projects that are part of an integrated regional water
management plan, shall prepare and implement a GMP that includes
specific requirements including, commencing January 1, 2012, a
map and description of recharge areas. The Senate amendments
also add additional public notice and information-sharing
requirements with regard to proposed and adopted GMPs.
Analysis Prepared by : Tina Cannon Leahy / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
FN: 0006091