BILL NUMBER: SB 758	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 8, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Block

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to add  Chapter 7.2 (commencing with Section 25621)
to Division 15 of the Public Resources   Section
12805.4 to the Government  Code, relating to climate change.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 758, as amended, Block. Atmospheric Rivers Research and
Mitigation  Fund.   Program.  
   Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission to implement and administer various energy
research, demonstration, development, and conservation programs in
the state. Existing law also requires specified state agencies to
prepare and submit to the Secretary for Environmental Protection,
specified information relating to the state's greenhouse gas
emissions.  
   Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, comprised
of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible
for the restoration, protection, and management of the state's
natural and cultural resources. 
   This bill would  establish the Atmospheric Rivers Research and
Mitigation Program in the Natural Resources Agency to research the
causes and effects of atmospheric rivers, and to take actions to
capture water generated by atmospheric rivers to increase the water
supply and reliability of water resources in the state. The bill
would  establish the Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation
Fund in the State Treasury for the purposes of funding 
research, demonstration, and development of an atmospheric rivers
program to mitigate the effects of climate change associated with
atmospheric rivers.   the program. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    Section 12805.4 is added to the 
 Government Code  , to read:  
   12805.4.  (a) The Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation
Program is hereby established in the Natural Resources Agency.
   (b) Under the program, the agency shall research the causes and
effects of atmospheric rivers, and shall take all actions within its
existing authority to capture water generated by atmospheric rivers
in order to increase the water supply and reliability of water
resources in the state.
   (c) The Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Fund is hereby
established in the State Treasury for the deposit of moneys to be
expended by the agency for the program.  
  SECTION 1.    Chapter 7.2 (commencing with Section
25621) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to
read:
      CHAPTER 7.2.  ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS RESEARCH AND MITIGATION FUND


   25621.  There is hereby established in the State Treasury, the
Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Fund, for the purposes of
funding research, demonstration, and development of an atmospheric
rivers program to mitigate the effects of climate change associated
with atmospheric rivers.