BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 937
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
937 (Salas) - As Amended April 22, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to
provide technical assistance to disadvantaged communities so
they may participate in groundwater planning with any county or
other local agency, including, but not limited to plans for
AB 937
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regional groundwater banking.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Unknown cost increases for DWR provide local assistance to
disadvantaged communities, potentially in the millions of
dollars (GF or special fund).
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, this bill is needed to
expand local opportunities for groundwater recharge. The
author states that groundwater recharge represents a practical
solution to the State's additional storage needs and is a
cheaper alternative to surface storage.
2)Background. Proposition 1, the Safe Drinking Water, Quality,
and Infrastructure Act of 2014, authorizes $7.545 billion in
general obligation funding for water-related projects and
programs.
Chapter 10 of Proposition 1 provides $900 million for
groundwater projects and programs with at least 10% of the
funds designated for projects serving severely disadvantaged
communities. Prop. 1 requires an agency administering the
funding shall operate a multidisciplinary technical assistance
program for small and disadvantaged communities.
3)Authors Intent Unclear. Proposition 1 defines a disadvantaged
community as a community with an annual median household
income that is less than 80 % of the statewide annual median
household income.
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It is unclear how this bill differs from the requirements in
Proposition 1 to operate multidisciplinary technical
assistance programs for small and disadvantaged communities.
It is also unclear if the author intends DWR to provide direct
assistance or local assistance grants. If the author is
considering technical assistance to directly fund consultants
or staff to participate in local efforts, it may not be an
appropriate use of general obligation bonds.
Lastly, the author may wish to clarify if local agencies,
individuals, or private interests are eligible to receive
technical assistance.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081