Bill Text: CA AB1925 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

---

Bill Title: Desalination: statewide goal.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 6-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From committee without further action. [AB1925 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB1925-Amended.html

---

BILL NUMBER: AB 1925	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 18, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 16, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chang
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Travis Allen, Jones, Mathis, and
Steinorth)
   (Coauthor: Senator Bates)

                        FEBRUARY 12, 2016

   An act to add Section 12946.5 to the Water Code, relating to water
resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1925, as amended, Chang. Desalination: statewide goal.
   Existing law, the Cobey-Porter Saline Water Conversion Law, states
the policy of this state that desalination projects developed by or
for public water entities be given the same opportunities for state
assistance and funding as other water supply and reliability
projects, and that desalination be consistent with all applicable
environmental protection policies in the state. The law provides that
is it the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Water
Resources undertake to find economic and efficient methods of
desalting saline water so that desalted water may be made available
to help meet the growing water requirements of the state.
   This bill would  require the department to  establish a
goal  to desalinate 300,000   of a specific
number of  acre-feet of drinking water  to be desalinated
 per year by the year 2025 and  500,000  
of a greater specific number of  acre-feet of drinking water
 to be desalinated  per year by the year  2030.
  2030, as part of a comprehensive water plan that fully
evaluates other, specified options. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The State of California is subject to periodic drought
conditions and is currently in the fourth year of the most recent
drought.
   (b) The competing demands for traditional water resources have
demonstrated that new drinking water supply options need to be added
to support the California economy and the public health and safety of
all Californians.
   (c) There is an immediate need for safe, clean, and reliable new
drinking water to provide local and regional water suppliers all
available water supply options to meet their local or regional
drinking water supply needs.
   (d) The Governor's Water Action Plan encourages the state to
maximize local and regional water supply development and calls for
the streamlining of the permitting process for desalination and
recycling of water.
   (e) The policy of the State of California is to reduce its
dependence on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
   (f) Desalinated water is an important and reliable source for
meeting total water demand. Continued and expanded production and
distribution of desalinated water for beneficial and permitted uses
can improve regional self-reliance by meeting a portion of future
increased total drinking water demands.
  SEC. 2.  Section 12946.5 is added to the Water Code, to read:
   12946.5.   This section establishes   By July
1, 2017, the department shall establish  a statewide goal
 to desalinate   300,000   of a
specific number of  acre-feet of drinking water  to be
desalinated  per year by the year 2025 and  500,000
  of a greater specific number of  acre-feet of
drinking water  to be desalinated  per year by the year
2030.  This goal shall be pursued as part of a comprehensive
water plan that fully evaluates other options, including recycled
water, conservation, stormwater capture, groundwater recharge, and
water efficiency.