BILL NUMBER: SB 758	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 30, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 21, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 8, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Block

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to add  Section 12805.4 to the Government 
 Article 8 (commenc   ing with Section 347) to Chapter
2.5 of Division 1 of the Water  Code, relating to climate
change.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 758, as amended, Block. Atmospheric Rivers Research and
Mitigation Program.
   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.   Department of
Water Resources and requires the department to implement various
water conservation and flood control programs and projects in the
state. 
   This bill would establish the Atmospheric Rivers Research and
Mitigation Program in the  Natural Resources Agency 
 department  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 and to operate reservoirs in a manner
that improves flood protection in the state. The bill would establish
the Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Fund in the State
Treasury for the purposes of funding 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.  
   SECTION 1.    Article 8 (commencing with Section 347)
is added to Chapter 2.5 of Division 1 of the   Water Code
 , to read: 

      Article  8.    Atmospheric Rivers Research and
Mitigation 


    347.   (a) The Atmospheric Rivers Research and
Mitigation Program is hereby established in the  Natural
Resources Agency.   Department of Water Resources. 

   (b) Under the program, the  agency  
department  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 and
to operate reservoirs in a manner that improves flood protection 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   department  for
the program.