BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 988| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |1020 N Street, Suite 524 | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: SB 988 Author: Jackson (D), et al. Amended: As introduced Vote: 21 SENATE GOVERNANCE & FINANCE COMMITTEE : 5-2, 3/19/14 AYES: Wolk, Beall, DeSaulnier, Hernandez, Liu NOES: Knight, Vidak SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8 SUBJECT : Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency SOURCE : Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency DIGEST : This bill allows Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (FCGMA) to inspect any groundwater extraction facility within the FCGMA's boundaries with the consent of the facility operator or, if consent is refused, with an inspection warrant duly issued pursuant to the specific statutes in the Code of Civil Procedures. ANALYSIS : The FCGMA Act created a special district in 1982 to preserve and manage groundwater resources in the Fox Canyon Aquifer. The FCGMA has management jurisdiction over 1,200 wells in southern Ventura County. FCGMA requires all well owners with extraction facilities within FCGMA's boundaries to register their wells with FCGMA, self-report groundwater extraction to FCGMA, and pay an extraction charge. FCGMA plans to implement a well inspection program to verify the accuracy of information CONTINUED SB 988 Page 2 submitted through its self-reporting program for groundwater extraction and meter calibration. This bill allows the FCGMA to inspect any groundwater extraction facility within FCGMA's boundaries with the consent of the facility operator or, if consent is refused, with an inspection warrant duly issued pursuant to the specific statutes in the Code of Civil Procedures. Comments According to the author's office, the reporting of water usage within the FCGMA is based on the honor system of self-reporting. However, as more water is withdrawn from the aquifer, it is becoming more important than ever to accurately monitor how much water is being used. Without this bill, FCGMA will not have sufficient authority to properly carry out inspections and will be hindered in its ability to verify information necessary to manage the groundwater resources under its jurisdiction. This bill is particularly timely, given California's current drought situation and the need to properly assess and monitor groundwater supplies. FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes SUPPORT : (Verified 4/7/14) Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (source) California Farm Bureau Federation County of Ventura AB:d 4/9/14 Senate Floor Analyses SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE **** END ****