BILL NUMBER: AB 1242	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 4, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 2, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ruskin

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 106.3 to the Water Code, relating to water.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1242, as amended, Ruskin. State water policy.
   Existing law establishes various state water policies, including
the policy that the use of water for domestic purposes is the highest
use of water.
   This bill would declare that it is the established policy of the
state that every human being has the right to clean  ,
affordable,  and accessible water on an equitable basis, that is
adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family
 , and that no one shall be deprived of that access or
quality of water due to individual economic circumstances  .
The bill would require relevant state agencies, including the
Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board,
and State Department of Public Health, to employ all 
feasible   reasonable  means to implement this
state policy. Those state agencies would be required to revise,
adopt, or establish policies, regulations, and grant criteria to
further this state policy.
   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 106.3 is added to the Water Code, to read:
   106.3.  (a) It is hereby declared to be the established policy of
the state that every human being has the right to clean  ,
affordable,  and accessible water on an equitable basis, that is
adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family
 , and that no one shall be deprived of that access or
quality of water due to individual economic circumstances. 
 . 
   (b) Relevant state agencies, including the department, the state
board, and the State Department of Public Health, shall employ all
 feasible   reasonable  means to implement
this state policy. Those state agencies shall revise, adopt, or
establish policies, regulations, and grant criteria to further this
state policy.  The state agencies, in determining affordability,
shall be consistent with affordability criteria adopted by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency. 
   (c) This section shall apply to water supplies for individuals and
not for new development.
   (d) The implementation of this section shall not infringe on the
rights or responsibilities of any  local or regional water
agency or municipality   publicly regulated water system
 .