SB 13

Page 2

SENATE RULES COMMITTEE
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 / SB 13

THIRD READING

Bill No: SB 13

Author: Pavley (D)

Amended: 2/24/15

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 8-1, 3/24/15

AYES: Pavley, Stone, Allen, Hertzberg, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, Wolk

NOES: Fuller

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SUBJECT: Groundwater

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill makes numerous technical and clarifying amendments to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and related sections of the Water Code.

ANALYSIS: Existing law establishes the SGMA. Among other things, SGMA requires that each high- and medium-priority groundwater basins be managed pursuant to a groundwater sustainability plan, with the goal of achieving sustainability within 20 years.

This bill makes numerous technical and clarifying amendments to SGMA and related sections of the Water Code. These include amendments to:

1)  Clarify that only high- and medium-priority basins not within the management area of a groundwater sustainability agency are subject to reporting requirements to the State Water Resources Control Board.

2)  Clarify the noticing process for becoming a groundwater sustainability agency.

3)  Correct cross references.

Background

Last session, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed SB 1168 (Pavley, Chapter 346, Statutes of 2014), SB 1319 (Pavley, Chapter 348, Statutes of 2014) and AB 1739 (Dickinson, Chapter 347, Statutes of 2014). Those three bills established SGMA and made other related changes to the Water Code. Together, those bills created a comprehensive program to achieve sustainable groundwater management in California.

The bills were complicated, not only from a policy perspective but from a technical legislative process perspective as well. For example, AB 1739 amended portions of SB 1168, SB 1168 amended portions of AB 1739, and all three were contingently enacted. As with many complex set of bills, some minor “clean-up” amendments are required.

Comments

To ensure that this bill does not change any of the policies established by SGMA, the author has vetted each amendment with the parties involved in the drafting of SB 1168, SB 1319, and AB 1739. The author has stated she intends to follow this same process with any future amendments.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/15/15)

Association of California Water Agencies

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/15/15)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “This bill makes numerous technical and clarifying amendments necessary to help implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). I do not intend to change any of the policies embodied SGMA in this measure.”

Prepared by: Dennis O'Connor / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

4/17/15 14:41:23

**** END ****