Bill Text: CA AB2043 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Desalination.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - Died at Desk. [AB2043 Detail]
Download: California-2015-AB2043-Introduced.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 2043 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Harper FEBRUARY 17, 2016 An act to amend Section 12947 of the Water Code, relating to desalination. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2043, as introduced, Harper. Desalination. 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 shall 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 state that the Legislature recognizes that desalination is an important local and regional sustainable water supply and reliability option. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 12947 of the Water Code is amended to read: 12947. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that the growing water needs of the state require the development ofcost effectivecost-effective and efficient water supply technologies. Desalination technology is now feasible to help provide significant new water supplies from seawater, brackish water, and reclaimed water. Desalination technology can also provide an effective means of treating some types of contamination in water supplies. Desalination is consistent with both state water supply and efficiency policy goals, and joint state-federal environmental and water policy and principles promoted by the Cal-Fed Bay Delta Program. (b) The Legislature recognizes that desalination is an important local and regional sustainable water supply and reliability option in order to improve water supply reliability, help reduce reliance on imported water, and, in response to climate change, to better meet future regional and local needs.(b)(c) It is 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.(c)(d) It is the intention of the Legislature that the department shall 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.