Policy Committees Unanimously Approve Two ACWA-Sponsored Bills

Two bills sponsored by ACWA were unanimously approved in their respective committees yesterday.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously approved SB 1284 by Sen. Denise Ducheny. The bill would amend current law related to mandatory minimum penalties to ensure that dischargers are not assessed exorbitant fines for simple paperwork mistakes.  Under the bill,a violation involving the failure to file a discharge monitoring report for no discharges does not constitute a “serious violation” that gives rise to mandatory minimum penalties if various criteria are met.

SB 1284 would also make changes to current law that limit the amount of penalty per violation for failure to report no discharges or discharges not violating effluent limitations if the discharger is a first-time offender. If the discharger has not before been notified by the state or regional board of such an enforcement action, that discharger will be subject to a total fine of $3,000. SB 1284 will next be heard on the Senate floor.

The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee unanimously approved AB 1929 by Assembly Member Isadore Hall. AB 1929 would clarify current law related to civil and criminal penalties for transport and infestation of quagga mussels, ensuring that water system operators and their employees who are in compliance with a required quagga mussel control plan will not be subject to any civil or criminal liability if an infestation occurs regardless of their compliance.

AB 1929 will be heard next on the Assembly floor.