BILL NUMBER: SB 758	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  682
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 9, 2015
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 9, 2015
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 17, 2015
	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, Block. Atmospheric Rivers: Research, Mitigation, and
Climate Forecasting 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,
Mitigation, and Climate Forecasting Program in the department to,
upon appropriation of special fund moneys, research climate
forecasting and the causes and impacts that climate change has on
atmospheric rivers, to operate reservoirs in a manner that improves
flood protection in the state, and to reoperate flood control and
water storage facilities to capture water generated by atmospheric
rivers.


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, Mitigation, and
Climate Forecasting


   347.  (a) The Atmospheric Rivers: Research, Mitigation, and
Climate Forecasting Program is hereby established in the Department
of Water Resources.
   (b) Upon appropriation of special fund moneys, including, but not
limited to, private funds, for these purposes, the department shall
conduct research relating to climate forecasting and the causes and
impacts that climate change has on atmospheric rivers, and shall take
all actions within its existing authority to operate reservoirs in a
manner that improves flood protection in the state and to reoperate
flood control and water storage facilities to capture water generated
by atmospheric rivers, thereby increasing water supply, hydropower
availability, and the reliability of water resources in the state.