Bill Text: CA SB552 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Public water systems: disadvantaged communities: consolidation or extension of service: administrative and managerial services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-09-28 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 773, Statutes of 2016. [SB552 Detail]

Download: California-2015-SB552-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 552	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 16, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wolk

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2015

   An act to add Section 116325.5 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to water.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 552, as amended, Wolk. Public water systems: disadvantaged
communities: drinking water standards.
   Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the
State Water Resources Control Board to administer provisions
relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public
health, including, but not limited to, conducting research, studies,
and demonstration programs relating to the provision of a dependable,
safe supply of drinking water, enforcing the federal Safe Drinking
Water Act, adoption of enforcement regulations, and conducting
studies and investigations to assess the quality of water in domestic
water supplies. Existing law requires the state board to ensure that
all public water systems are operated in compliance with the act.
   This bill would require, by January 1, 2017, the state board to
develop a  plan, including enforcement mechanisms, 
 report identifying specific funding and enforcement mechanisms
necessary  to ensure  that  disadvantaged
communities have water systems that are in compliance with state and
federal drinking water standards. The bill would require the 
plan   report  to identify  strategies to
help   specific legislative and administrative actions
necessary to  bring disadvantaged communities into compliance
with safe drinking water standards.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: 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) An estimated 500 public water systems in disadvantaged
communities rely on, and have to pay high rates for, sources of
drinking water that do not meet state and federal safe drinking water
standards.
   (b) Although funding sources are available to assist disadvantaged
communities with needed capital improvements, these communities
often lack governance infrastructure, technical expertise, and the
ability to pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance costs
necessary to continue to meet the state and federal drinking water
standards.
  SEC. 2.  Section 116325.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code,
to read:
   116325.5.  (a) On or before January 1, 2017, the State Water
Resources Control Board shall develop a  plan, including
  report identifying specific funding and 
enforcement  mechanisms, to ensure that  
mechanisms necessary to ensure  disadvantaged communities have
water systems that are in compliance with state and federal drinking
water standards.
   (b) The  plan shall identify strategies to help 
 report shall identify specific legislative and administrative
actions necessary to  bring the disadvantaged communities into
compliance with safe drinking water standards, including the
following: 
   (1) Improved, effective governance structure.  
   (2) Access to technical assistance.  
   (3) Implementation of capital improvements.  
   (1) Mechanisms for identification of the specific issues and
solutions for each community and any specific state or local
authority that is necessary to address these issues.  
   (4)Sources 
    (2)     Identification of available, and
any recommended new, sources  of revenue to fund ongoing
operations and maintenance costs  or any other costs associated
with providing water at an affordable rate  . 
   (3) Other recommendations for specific actions or authorities
necessary to address drinking water needs for these communities.