ACWA e-News for August 11, 2010

In the wake of salary abuses reported in the city of Bell, the Legislature is set to consider various bills to increase transparency regarding compensation for local government officials and employees.

The Senate Local Government Committee has set a hearing for Aug. 12 on a bill that would establish consequences for excessive compensation in charter cities and impose new Brown Act requirements for cities, counties and special districts.

A special exhibit honoring California’s State Water Project is now on display at The California Museum in Sacramento in honor of the project’s 50^th anniversary. 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Aug. 10 to move the $11.14 billion water bond to the November 2012 ballot, narrowly meeting the Secretary of State’s deadline for removing Proposition 18 from the printed voter guide that will be mailed out this fall.

The governor signed AB 1265 (Caballero and Jeffries) one day after it cleared the Assembly on a 54-22 vote – the bare minimum needed for a two-thirds vote. The Senate approved the measure on a 27-7 vote earlier that day.

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.

An ACWA-sponsored bill on liability issues related to quagga mussels is headed to the governor’s desk for signature.

AB 1929 (Hall) would clarify existing law to ensure that water system operators who implement invasive species control plans are not subject to unwarranted civil and criminal penalties.

ACWA sponsored similar legislation in 2009, but the measure was unexpectedly vetoed due to concerns that the state would be liable if local agencies were given immunity from liability. Those concerns have been addressed with the Department of Fish and Game.

ACWA's newly adopted policy principles on Endangered Species Act implementation are an important statement at an important time in California water, ACWA Vice President Randy Record says in a Voices on Water blog post.

Noting that climate change will likely increase the frequency and intensity of droughts, a new state report says conservation and preparedness will be key to future water management in California.

Released for public review yesterday by the Department of Water Resources, the draft California Drought Contingency Plan identifies strategies and actions state agencies should take to prepare for and respond to future droughts or other water shortage events.

ACWA submitted comments July 30 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s draft strategic plan for fiscal years 2011-2015.

The Department of Water Resources is accepting applications to serve on the advisory committee for the next update of the California Water Plan. The committee helps develop and refine policy recommendations for the 2013 update of the plan.

Interest-based and regionally based forums may be established as part of the advisory committee process.

Applications must be returned by Aug. 25. Details are available here.