|
Updated 12/2/09
2009 Legislative Water Package
Legislature Sends Historic Water Package to Governor
Senate, Assembly Pass $11.14 Billion Bond, Policy Bills
The Legislature early Nov. 4th sent an $11.14 billion water bond and policy bills on Delta governance, conservation, groundwater monitoring and water rights enforcement to Gov. Schwarzenegger.
Controversial language in the water rights enforcement measure was replaced with language widely supported by ACWA and its member agencies that was contained in AB 7X 6 (De Leon) regarding reporting of water use and penalties on illegal diversions.
The action followed an intensive night of action and negotiations to move the bond and policy measures through both houses. The final piece of the package came together around 5:50 a.m. when the Senate reached the 27 votes needed to pass the water bond, SB 7X 2 (Cogdill), co-authored by Assembly Member Anna Caballero. The bond bill had been amended earlier in the Assembly to include additional funding for groundwater and recycling. The Assembly passed the measure just before 5 a.m. on 54-18 vote with seven members not voting.
A summary of the final bond is available at here.
The ACWA Board of Directors had taken a support position on the Cogdill bond bill as well as the policy bills related to Delta governance, conservation, and groundwater monitoring. ACWA staff worked diligently to seek changes to the water rights enforcement language to address member concerns.
This is arguably the most important piece of legislation regarding water passed by the Legislature since 1960. It is highly consistent with policy principles adopted by the ACWA Board.
See ACWA's official statement on the passage of the package.
Background
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a special session on Oct. 11 to continue work on the legislative package.
The regular 2009 legislative session came to close Sept. 11 without action on a comprehensive package contained in SB 68. The measure included policy elements previously contained in five different bills developed by a 14-member Senate-Assembly conference committee on water.
ACWA was prepared to support provisions in SB 68 related to the Delta and Delta governance, but continued to have concerns about policy provisions outside of the Delta, including those dealing with water conservation and water rights enforcement.
ACWA’s Position
ACWA continues to work with the Legislature to develop a truly comprehensive package that includes the following:
- A commitment to the co-equal goals of improved water supply reliability and ecosystem health.
- A conveyance solution in the Delta.
- Investments in additional water storage (both surface and groundwater) to be operated for the co-equal values.
- Substantial investments in local resources development, including conservation, water recycling and groundwater management.
- Delta governance mechanisms that solve rather than create problems.
- A financing element that provides funding to pay for the public share of infrastructure costs and other programs consistent with the beneficiaries pay principle.
More Information
For questions regarding ACWA’s position on a comprehensive water package, please contact Ron Davis, ACWA’s state legislative director, or Jennifer Persike, ACWA’s director of strategic coordination and public affairs, or call 916-441-4545.
Resources
The conference report includes the following bills:
|
