BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2594
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Date of Hearing: May 11, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
2594 (Gordon) - As Amended March 17, 2016
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill allows a public entity to use captured stormwater if
the stormwater is captured before it reaches a natural channel
in accordance with to the entity's stormwater resources plan.
AB 2594
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FISCAL EFFECT:
Any additional state costs are absorbable within the State Water
Resources Control Board's (SWRCB) existing resources.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, our state's infrastructure
treats stormwater as a waste product rather than a natural
resource that can help mitigate drought. The Stormwater
Resources Planning Act encourages local watersheds to develop
plans to beneficially use stormwater. However, compliance
with a Stormwater Resource Plan does not entitle public
entities to use the stormwater for water supply or water
quality purposes. This bill clarifies public entities who
capture stormwater can use it. This will encourage more
stormwater capture and will provide additional options to
finance stormwater systems.
2)Background. Under existing law, local agencies are authorized
to develop Stormwater Resources Plans, but the plans must
comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. The
SWRCB provides guidance to local agencies to identify
opportunities for stormwater capture.
Statewide, it is estimated that stormwater capture could
produce 630,000 acre-feet of new water. It has been estimated
that 30-45% of Los Angeles water needs could be met through
stormwater capture, producing over 250,000 acre-feet of new
water.
Proposition 1 included $200 million for multibenefit
AB 2594
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stormwater management projects and specifically made rainwater
and stormwater capture eligible for funding. In 2004 Los
Angeles Measure O authorized $500 million in general
obligation bonds that funded some watershed improvement
projects. This bill clarifies when an agency appropriately
captures stormwater it is entitled to use that water.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081