BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2463
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Date of Hearing: May 7, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2463 (Dickinson) - As Amended: April 21, 2014
Policy Committee: Water, Parks and
Wildlife Vote: 10-5
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to
partner with the Regional Water Authority (RWA), water suppliers
in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, and other
interested agencies to develop a plan to improve water supply
reliability in the Sacramento region. This bill requires DWR to
submit the plan to the Legislature by January 1, 2021.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Unknown costs, potentially over $1 million, for DWR to
complete the plan.
2)Unknown, potentially significant, reimbursable local costs.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale. According to the author, historically severe
drought conditions in 2013 and 2014 demonstrate that the
Sacramento region is uniquely vulnerable to severe dry
conditions. This January, the water levels in Folsom
Reservoir were dangerously close to going dry, jeopardizing
the municipal water supply that serves 500,000 people. Water
levels downstream on the American River resulted in emergency
measures to allow for continued diversions by the City of
Sacramento.
The author states that regional and local water supply and
environmental needs cannot be met by the current statewide
water system. This bill will require the state and locals to
develop a plan for new infrastructure that meets local needs
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while benefiting the statewide system.
2)Background. The RWA is a joint powers authority formed in
July 2001 as a forum to discuss and address regional water
issues in the Sacramento region. RWA has 21 water suppliers
and three associate members from Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and
El Dorado counties. RWA members include cities, water and
irrigation districts, mutual water companies, investor-owned
water utilities and community services districts.
The RWA developed a comprehensive Water Forum Agreement (WFA)
over a six-year period and memorialized it in a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU). The MOU was signed by a diverse group of
40 business and agricultural leaders, citizens groups,
environmentalists, water managers and local governments
including the cities of Sacramento, Folsom, and Roseville and
the County of Sacramento.
The WFA is a comprehensive package of linked actions to
provide a reliable and safe water supply for the region's
economic health and planned development to the year 2030. The
WFA also identifies actions necessary to preserve the fishery,
wildlife, recreational and aesthetic values of the lower
American River.
This bill requires a plan that will build upon the WFA by
incorporating current Delta and dry water conditions and
providing detailed analysis for infrastructure investments
including the identification of potential funding sources.
3)The State's Role. According to the RWA, the meetings,
hearings, studies and evaluations necessary to develop the
plan required by this bill are primarily intended to be the
responsibility of the local agencies. However, the bill is
drafted to place that responsibility on DWR. Because state
and federal governments control the operations of local
facilities, RWA indicates that the participation of DWR is
essential for developing the plan. The author may wish to
consider revising the bill to clarify what is expected from
the state vs. participating local agencies and who will pay
for local efforts.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 2463
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