BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �






                  SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW
                                Mark Leno, Chair
                                        
          Bill No:       AB 80
          Author:        Committee on Budget
          As Amended:    February 24, 2014
          Consultant:    Catherine Freeman
          Fiscal:        Yes
          Hearing Date:  February 26, 2014
          
          Subject:  Provides statutory changes necessary to implement  
          the budget act.

          Summary:  This bill makes various changes to provide  
          immediate drought relief, water efficiency, housing  
          assistance and water supply protection related to the  
          drought.

          Background:  As part of the 2013-14 budget package, AB 80  
          makes various statutory changes to implement the budget  
          act.

          Proposed Law:  This bill includes the following key  
          changes:

             1.   Integrated Regional Water Management: Provides  
               $472.5 million for integrated regional water  
               management grants (mainly local assistance).  
               Accelerates the allocation of funds and required  
               co-benefits for water supply, water efficiency, and/or  
               drought.

             2.   Housing Assistance: Allows $10 million from the  
               existing Housing Rehabilitation Loan Fund  
               appropriation to be made available for rental  
               assistance related to the drought. Authorizes the  
               Department of Housing and Community Development to  
               make the Office of Migrant Services available for  
               persons or families experiencing hardships as a result  
               of the drought. 

             3.   Penalties for Illegal Diversions: Revises the  
               definition of a critically dry (drought) year and  
               applies this definition to increased penalties for  
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               illegal diversions from $500 to $1,000 per day and  
               $2,500 per acre foot of water.  Non-drought year  
               provisions remain the same. Increases the penalty for  
               violating a cease and desist order for water diversion  
               from $1,000 to $10,000 per day in drought years.  
               Penalties and civil liability may be imposed by court  
               or State Water Resources Control Board order.

             4.   Water Recycling: Amends the emergency regulations  
               for water recycling to include critically dry and  
               drought years as eligible criteria.

          Fiscal Effect:  This bill appropriates $472.5 million (bond  
          funds) for integrated regional water management, and  
          provides statutory guidance necessary to implement the  
          2013-14 budget.

          Support:   Unknown

          Opposed:  Unknown

          Comments:  This bill provides the necessary statutory  
          references to enact the 2013-14 budget related to drought.




















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