AB 2776 Fails in Committee Again

ACWA-opposed legislation on water transfers failed to clear the Senate Appropriations Committee on Aug. 9, falling short of the six votes needed for passage for the second time in a week. The vote marked the fourth occasion the language has been rejected this year.

AB 2776 (Huffman), which would impose unnecessary and costly restrictions on voluntary water transfers, failed on a 5-4 vote. It failed passage in the same committee Aug 2 on a 5-5 vote but was granted reconsideration.

The bill includes language nearly identical to AB 2049 (Arambula), which failed passage on the Assembly floor on June 2 and again on June 3. The language was amended into AB 2776 the day of the June 29 hearing in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

AB 2776 would limit long-term voluntary water transfers even if the parties agree the transfers are beneficial to the state. It would apply to any long-term water transfer of 20 years or more.

ACWA thanks its members for sending letters once again to their legislators on AB 2776 to raise awareness of the issues in a short period of time. The letters ultimately made the difference in defeating the legislation.