BILL NUMBER: AB 1816	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Dahle

                        FEBRUARY 8, 2016

   An act to amend Sections 22527, 22528, and 22529 of the Water
Code, relating to irrigation districts.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1816, as introduced, Dahle. Irrigation districts: lease of
works.
   The Irrigation District Law provides for the formation of
irrigation districts with prescribed powers, including, among other
powers, the authorization to lease part or all of the irrigation
district's works whenever the leasing will benefit the irrigation
district. Existing law requires the board of an irrigation district
to give notice at least 3 weeks prior to making a lease by
publication at least once in a newspaper published in the principal
county. Existing law requires a lease to be made to the highest
bidder, except as specified, and prohibits a lease from interfering
with any prior right established by law.
   This bill would authorize the board of an irrigation district to
alternatively post notice on its Internet Web site. The bill would
specify that a lease be made to the highest bidder that is responsive
and would additionally prohibit the lease from interfering with any
prior right established by contract. By imposing requirements on
irrigation districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local
program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 22527 of the Water Code is amended to read:
   22527.  When  the   a  board
contemplates the leasing of the works of the district, it shall give
notice thereof at least three weeks prior to the making of the lease,
by publication at least once in  some   a 
newspaper published in the principal  county.  
county or by posting the notice   on the district's
Internet Web site. 
  SEC. 2.  Section 22528 of the Water Code is amended to read:
   22528.  The lease shall be made to the highest  responsive
 bidder, but any and all bids may be rejected.
  SEC. 3.  Section 22529 of the Water Code is amended to read:
   22529.  The lease shall not interfere with any prior rights
established by  law.   law or contract. 
  SEC. 4.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a
local agency or school district has the authority to levy service
charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or
level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section
17556 of the Government Code.