BILL NUMBER: SB 758	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 2, 2015
	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 Article 8 (commencing 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 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 department  to   to,
upon appropriation of special fund moneys,  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.  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 Department of Water Resources.
   (b)  Under the program,   Upon appropriation
of special fund moneys, including, but not limited to, private funds,
for these purposes,  the 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 department for the program.