BILL NUMBER: AB 1594	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Huber
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Chesbro, Fong, Gaines, Torlakson, and
Yamada)

                        JANUARY 4, 2010

   An act to add Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 115) to
Division 1 of the Water Code, relating to the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1594, as introduced, Huber. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta:
peripheral canal.
   Existing law requires various state agencies to administer
programs relating to water supply, water quality, and flood
management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
   This bill would prohibit the construction of a peripheral canal,
as defined, that conveys water from a diversion point in the
Sacramento River to a location south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta, unless expressly authorized by the Legislature. The bill would
require the Legislative Analyst's Office to complete an economic
feasibility analysis prior to the enactment of a statute authorizing
the construction of a peripheral canal. The bill would also require
that the construction and operation of a peripheral canal not
diminish or negatively affect the water supplies, water rights, or
quality of water for water users within the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta watershed.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 115) is added to
Division 1 of the Water Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 1.5.  PERIPHERAL CANAL


   115.  As used in this chapter, the following terms have the
following meanings:
   (a) "Delta" means the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, as defined in
Section 12220.
   (b) "Peripheral canal" means a facility or structure that conveys
water directly from a diversion point in the Sacramento River to
pumping facilities of the State Water Project or the federal Central
Valley Project south of the Delta.
   116.  (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a peripheral canal shall
not be constructed unless expressly authorized pursuant to a statute
enacted by the Legislature on or after the date on which this section
becomes effective.
   (b) Prior to the enactment of any statute authorizing the
construction of a peripheral canal, the Legislative Analyst's Office
shall complete an economic feasibility analysis that includes both of
the following:
   (1) The total cost of the construction project.
   (2) Expected impacts of the construction project on taxpayers,
water ratepayers, and the General Fund.
   118.  Notwithstanding any other law, the construction and
operation of a peripheral canal shall not diminish or negatively
affect the water supplies, water rights, or quality of water for
water users within the Delta watershed.