BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2594
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
2594 (Gordon)
As Amended May 19, 2016
Majority vote
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+---------------------|
|Water |10-3 |Levine, Dodd, Eggman, |Bigelow, Harper, |
| | | |Mathis |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |Cristina Garcia, | |
| | |Eduardo Garcia, | |
| | |Gomez, Lopez, Medina, | |
| | |Salas, Williams | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+---------------------|
|Appropriations |15-3 |Gonzalez, Bloom, |Bigelow, Jones, |
| | |Bonilla, Bonta, |Wagner |
| | |Calderon, McCarty, | |
| | |Eggman, Eduardo | |
| | |Garcia, Chau, Holden, | |
| | |Obernolte, Quirk, | |
| | |Santiago, Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
AB 2594
Page 2
SUMMARY: Allows a public entity to use captured stormwater if
the stormwater is captured before it reaches a natural channel
in accordance with the entity's stormwater resources plan and
consistent with a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4)
permit.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Authorizes local agencies to develop Stormwater Resource
Plans. Requires Stormwater Resources Plans, to among other
things, be compliant with the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA)
2)Requires the State Water Resources Control Board to provide
guidance for stormwater resource planning to identify
opportunities for stormwater capture.
3)Requires under the Federal Clean Water Act MS4s to be
permitted.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, any additional state costs are absorbable within the
State Water Resources Control Board's existing resources.
COMMENTS: Stormwater is defined by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency as the runoff generated when
precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or
impervious surfaces without percolating into the ground.
Stormwater infrastructure often treats stormwater as a nuisance
to be disposed of rather than a natural resource that can help
mitigate drought. Statewide, it has been estimated that
AB 2594
Page 3
stormwater capture could produce 630,000 acre-feet of new water.
It has been estimated that 30% to 45% of Los Angeles water
needs could be met through stormwater capture, producing over
250,000 acre-feet of new water.
The Stormwater Resources Planning Act encourages local
watersheds to develop plans to beneficially use stormwater.
Compliance with a Stormwater Resource Plan does not entitle
public entities to use the stormwater or to use it for water
supply or water quality purposes. Currently, billions of
gallons of usable water flow into the ocean every year.
Stormwater is conveyed through MS4s and ultimately discharged
into receiving waters. Many MS4s discharge to a bay or the
ocean.
This bill will make clear that public entities can capture
stormwater and use it. This will encourage more stormwater
capture and will provide additional options to finance
stormwater systems.
Analysis Prepared by:
Ryan Ojakian / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096
FN: 0002994
AB 2594
Page 4