BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2117
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 16, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                     AB 2117 (Gorell) - As Amended:  May 1, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                              Environmental 
          Safety and Toxic Materials                    Vote: 9-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the State Water Resources Control Board, in 
          consultation with affected stakeholders, to prepare a 
          comprehensive statewide stormwater plan and submit it to the 
          Legislature by January 1, 2015.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)Annual costs of at least $150,000 (equivalent to one staff 
            member) to the board in 2012-13 through 2014-15 to conduct 
            research and analysis and prepare the report (special fund).

          2)One-time costs of approximately $150,000 to the board to 
            contract with outside entities to conduct basic research 
            (special fund).

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  .  The author contends the state and regional boards 
            lack the clear direction and attention warranted for long-term 
            solutions, goals and alternatives, and instead focus on 
            end-of-pipe regulations that entail extremely high 
            implementation costs for minimal water quality improvements. 
            The author intends this bill to provide the opportunity for a 
            comprehensive view of California's stormwater program.  

           2)Background  .  The State Water Resources Control Board, in 
            conjunction with nine semiautonomous regional boards, 
            regulates water quality in the state. The regional 
            boards-which are funded by the state board and are under the 
            state board's oversight-implement water quality programs in 
            accordance with policies, plans, and standards developed by 







                                                                  AB 2117
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            the state board.
                
             The state board carries out its water quality responsibilities 
            by (a) establishing wastewater discharge policies and 
            standards; (b) implementing programs to ensure that the waters 
            of the state are not contaminated by underground or 
            aboveground tanks; and (c) administering state and federal 
            loans and grants to local governments for the construction of 
            wastewater treatment, water reclamation, and storm drainage 
            facilities. 

           3)This bill is supported by  many industry groups who pay waste 
            discharge fees.

           4)The bill is opposed by  several groups that advocate for 
            environmental protection.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081