BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2529
Page 1
REPLACE - 08/23/04
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2529 (Kehoe)
As Amended June 29, 2004
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |51-25|(May 25, 2004) |SENATE: |21-13|(August 19, |
| | | | | |2004) |
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Original Committee Reference: W., P. & W.
SUMMARY : Provides authorization for projects that protect and
restore the water quality and environment of marine managed
areas (MMAs).
The Senate amendments add the California Coastal Commission as
an agency that may award grants under the MMA Program, and limit
the amount of any grant to $1 million per project.
EXISTING LAW requires the SWRCB to formulate and adopt a water
quality control plan for ocean waters of the state, and requires
the SWRCB to review the Ocean Plan every three years.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill:
1)Stated the intent of the Legislature to improve water quality
in coastal and marine waters, particularly those waters that
affect marine protected areas and marine managed areas.
2)Authorized projects that restore and protect the water quality
and environment of marine managed areas, as defined in the
Ocean Plan.
3)Required SWRCB to give priority to projects that treat or
remove existing waste discharges or prevent probable waste
discharges, into areas of special biological significance.
4)Established the MMA Program.
5)Required that projects funded through grants must be able to
contribute to sustained, long-term water quality or
environmental restoration for a period of 20 years, address
AB 2529
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the causes of degradation rather than the symptoms, and be
consistent with water quality control plans and resource
protection plans developed by other responsible agencies.
6)Required that an applicant for funding submit to SWRCB a
monitoring and reporting plan with specified information.
7)Required that, upon completion of a project, a grant recipient
submit a report to SWRCB.
8)Set other conditions upon the award of grants.
9)Required SWRCB to appoint a MMA water quality task force
comprised of individuals representing breadth and diversity of
coastal communities, interested non-profit groups, and marine
resource users, to review all proposals for grant funding.
FISCAL EFFECT : Moderate General Fund costs of approximately
$250,000 in fiscal year 2004-2005 to start up the program.
Moderate costs of approximately $250,000 in the following fiscal
year to update the Ocean Plan, including the requirements set
out in this bill.
COMMENTS : The Senate amendments are minor and further the
objectives of the bill as it was passed by the Assembly. This
bill, as amended in the Senate, is consistent with the Assembly
actions.
Analysis Prepared by : Jeffrey Volberg / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
FN: 0008660