BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Fran Pavley, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 554 Hearing Date: January 12,
2016
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Author: |Wolk | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Version: |January 4, 2016 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Consultant:|Dennis O'Connor |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Delta levee maintenance
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
1.The Delta levee maintenance subvention program provides
reimbursement funds to local agencies for costs of maintaining
or improving project or nonproject levees.
In 1996, the Legislature established the reimbursement rate
for the subsequent ten years to be up to 75 percent of any
costs incurred in excess of $1,000 per mile, based on an
assessment of the agency's ability to pay.
At the end of the 10 year period, (July 1, 2006), the
reimbursement rate would become 50 percent of any costs
incurred in excess of one thousand dollars $1,000 per mile.
Also, the maximum annual reimbursements from the General Fund
would be capped at $2 M.
2.In 2005, the Legislature required the Department of Water
Resources (DWR) to conduct a study of the potential impacts of
subsidence, earthquakes, floods, and climate change on the
Delta and evaluate options for addressing those impacts. That
study, known as the Delta Risk Management Study (DRMS), was to
be completed by January 1, 2008.
3.In 2006, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed AB 798
(Wolk). That bill, among other things, extended the 75
SB 554 (Wolk) Page 2
of ?
percent reimbursement rate for the Delta subvention rate to
July 2010. Part of the justification was that changing the
rate was premature, given that DWR had not completed the DRMS.
4.In 2009, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed SBX7 1
(Simitian). That bill, among other things, created the Delta
Stewardship Council (Council) and required it to adopt a Delta
Plan by January 1, 2012. That plan, among other things, was
to include "priorities for state investments in levee
operation, maintenance, and improvements in the Delta,
including both levees that are a part of the State Plan of
Flood Control and nonproject levees."
5.In 2010, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed SB 808
(Wolk). That bill, among other things, extended the 75
percent reimbursement rate for the Delta subvention rate to
July 2014. Part of the justification was that changing the
rate was premature, given that the Delta Stewardship Council
had not had sufficient time to complete the Delta Plan.
6.In 2012, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed SB 200
(Wolk). That bill, among other things, extended the 75 percent
reimbursement rate for the Delta subvention rate to July 2014.
Part of the justification was that because of the dire
financial conditions of most local Delta levee agencies, and
the important tie to California's drinking water supply and
other infrastructure, the 75% state cost-share was necessary
to continue protecting Delta levees
PROPOSED LAW
SB 554 makes permanent the current 75 percent reimbursement rate
for Delta levee maintenance costs in excess of $1,000 per mile.
Specifically, this bill:
1.Eliminates the July 1, 2018, sunset on the current
authorization of a 75 percent state cost-share in Delta levee
maintenance or improvement projects.
2.Extends the life of the Delta Flood Protection Fund.
3.Eliminates the effective date for returning to a 50% State
cost-share.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the author, "By continuing the current cost share
formula, SB 554 ensures that Delta reclamation districts can
afford to maintain and improve Delta levees. Maintenance of the
Delta levees is important to reduce flood risk and ensure the
SB 554 (Wolk) Page 3
of ?
Delta can continue to serve its many valuable uses - as fertile
farmland, a water conveyance, and a rich estuary ecosystem."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: None Received
COMMENTS
One Of The Few Delta Bright Spots. The 2010 Public Policy
Institute of California (PPIC) publication Comparing Futures for
the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta noted, "The Delta Levee
Subventions Program, in particular, has significantly reduced
levee failures and is the most important state investments in
Delta levees today." It is still true five years later.
Moreover, it is also one of the few Delta programs that have
shown tangible results.
SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS: None
SUPPORT
California Central Valley Flood Control Association
OPPOSITION
None Received
-- END --