BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 659|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 659
Author: Hernandez (D)
Amended: 3/24/11
Vote: 21
SENATE GOVERNANCE & FINANCE COMMITTEE : 9-0, 05/04/11
AYES: Wolk, Huff, DeSaulnier, Fuller, Hancock, Hernandez,
Kehoe, La Malfa, Liu
SUBJECT : San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority:
board members
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill allows an appointing authority of the
San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, by a majority
vote, to remove their member or alternate member of the
Authority without cause and at any time prior to the
expiration of the member's or alternate member's term of
office, and appoint or elect another person as a member or
alternate. A person appointed or elected in accordance to
this provision, is to meet the qualifications applicable to
the office, and shall serve the remaining term of the
office.
ANALYSIS : In 1992, the Legislature enacted the San
Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Act to develop,
finance, and implement groundwater treatment programs in
the San Gabriel Basin. The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality
Authority coordinates the cleanup of contaminated
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groundwater in the San Gabriel Basin and through the
Whittier Narrows and Central Basin.
The Authority has a seven-member board:
One member for each of the three municipal water
districts (San Gabriel Valley MWD, Three Valleys MWD,
and Upper San Gabriel Water District).
One representative from a city that can pump water
from the basin (Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, El
Monte, Glendora, Industry, Irwindale, La Verne,
Monrovia, Monterey Park, South Pasadena, and
Whittier).
One member from a city without pumping rights
(Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, La Puente, Rosemead,
San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre,
South El Monte, Temple City, and West Covina).
Two members representing water producers in the San
Gabriel Basin.
The members serve four-year terms. Each appointing
authority also names alternates to each member. Alternates
serve when the members are absent. If there's a vacancy in
office, the alternate serves for the remainder of the
member's term.
Background
In 1992, the Legislature enacted the San Gabriel Basin
Water Quality Authority Act to develop, finance, and
implement groundwater treatment programs in the San Gabriel
Basin. The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority
coordinates the cleanup of contaminated groundwater in the
San Gabriel Basin and through the Whittier Narrows and
Central Basin.
Since December 2010, the Authority has experienced
instability in membership, leading some to worry that the
politics behind appointing members interferes with the
Authority's work.
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FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/11/11)
San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
AGB:DW:nl 5/11/11 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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