BILL NUMBER: AB 1242	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 26, 2009
	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.
The bill would require  all  relevant state agencies,
including the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources
Control Board, and State Department of Public Health, to employ all
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.
   (b)  Relevant   All relevant  state
agencies, including the department, the state board, and the State
Department of Public Health, shall employ all 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.   policy, including establishing affordability
criteria as appropriate. 
   (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  publicly regulated
  public  water system.