Legislature Approves Water Bond Delay

Legislation to move the $11.14 billion water bond to the November 2012 ballot was sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger late Monday. The governor is expected to sign the bills in time to meet the Secretary of State’s deadline for removing the bond from the ballot pamphlet that will be sent to voters this fall.

The Assembly passed AB 1265 (Caballero and Jeffries) and AB 1260 (Fuller) by the narrowest of margins at about 9:30 p.m. after a lengthy debate. The Senate approved the measures around 6 p.m. ACWA testified in support of the bills.

The action came six weeks after the governor and legislative leaders announced their intent to move the bond, citing the state’s economic woes and the need to focus on budget issues this year.

AB 1265 renames the bond measure the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012 and provides for it to go before voters at the Nov. 6, 2012, statewide election instead of the Nov. 2, 2010, election. It also modifies provisions regarding joint powers authorities formed to finance surface storage projects.

AB 1260 (Fuller) adjusts the terms of members appointed to the California Water Commission.