BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2202
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2202 (V. Manuel Perez)
As Amended August 20, 2010
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |69-1 |(May 10, 2010) |SENATE: |27-10|(August 30, |
| | | | | |2010) |
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Original Committee Reference: E.S. & T. M.
SUMMARY : Requires the Secretary for the Environmental
Protection Agency (Secretary) to oversee the expenditure of bond
funds that are appropriated for water quality and public health
projects on the New River pursuant to the Safe, Clean, and
Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 (Act), should it be
approved by the voters at the November 6, 2012 statewide general
election. Provides that it is the intent of the Legislature
that any funds appropriated pursuant to the Act shall be
consistent with the strategic plan to guide the implementation
of the New River Improvement Project (strategic plan).
The Senate amendments :
1)Delete the requirement that that any funds appropriated
pursuant to the New River appropriation in the Act be
consistent with the strategic plan, and instead provide that
this provision is the intent of the Legislature.
2)Require the Secretary to oversee the expenditure of bond funds
that are appropriated, pursuant to the Act, for water quality
and public health projects on the New River.
3)Update the date of the general election at which voters would
vote on the Act from 2010 to 2012.
4)Make other conforming changes.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Pursuant to the Act, subject to voter approval, makes $20
million available for water quality and public health projects
on the New River.
AB 2202
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2)Establishes the California-Mexico Border Relations Council
(Council).
3)Requires the Council, contingent upon a funding agreement with
the City of Calexico, to develop the strategic plan.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required that any funds
appropriated pursuant to the New River appropriation in the Act
be consistent with the strategic plan. Provided that it is the
intent of the Legislature that money not be appropriated
pursuant to the Act until the completion of the strategic plan
or until January 1, 2013, whichever occurs first.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee analysis, bond fund implementation will cost about $1
million over the life of the program (Act). These costs would be
incurred by whatever agency is designated by the Legislature to
implement the bond funds.
COMMENTS : Purpose of the bill: According to the author, "The
New River remains an environmental hazard and public health
threat to the region; affecting air and water quality and the
quality of life for the residents of Imperial County. In
November of 2009, the Legislature approved SB X7 2, (Cogdill),
the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010,
a water infrastructure bond in the amount of $11,140,000,000.
The bond bill appropriated $20 million dollars for the New
River. While this authorization demonstrates an impressive
state commitment and investment in the New River, we are
concerned with the lack of legislative direction or
implementation guidance in the bond bill. AB 1079 [(V. Manuel
Perez), Chapter 382, Statutes of 2009] required the California
Mexico Border relations counsel to develop a strategic plan to
guide the implementation of the New River clean-up. Earlier
this year the Council voted to convene a technical advisory
committee and is currently developing its membership. As new
moneys, including the $20 million from SBX7 2 (Cogdill) become
available for the New River clean-up, it is important that they
are appropriated in a manner consistent with the vision and
intent of AB 1079 and specifically the Council's strategic
plan."
SB X7 2 (Cogdill) Chapter 3, Statutes of 2009-10, Seventh
Extraordinary Session, was amended by AB 1265 (Caballero),
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Chapter 126, Statutes of 2010, to, among other things, delay the
placement of the measure before voters to the November 6, 2012
general election.
The New River: According to the State Water Resources Control
Board, the New River carries urban runoff, untreated and
partially treated municipal wastes, untreated and partially
treated industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff from the
Mexicali Valley into the United States. By the time the New
River reaches the Salton Sea, about two-thirds of its flow
consists of wastewater in the form of agricultural runoff from
Imperial County.
Analysis Prepared by : Shannon McKinney / E.S. & T.M. / (916)
319-3965
FN: 0006739