ACWA Advocacy Delivers Significant Wins as Governor Signs Sponsored Bills
Gov. Gavin Newsom this week acted on several bills of interest to ACWA members, including signing the association’s two sponsored bills and vetoing two bills that, while well-intentioned, would have negatively impacted members’ water rights and infrastructure work.
The two sponsored bills — SB 1153 and AB 2180 — will provide new clarity for water agencies related to wildfire liability and water rate-setting.
ACWA led coalitions in support of both bills, and strong member engagement was essential to their success. The two laws, which take effect in 2027, are outlined below along with the governor’s final decisions on other key water bills that ACWA advocated on during the 2026 legislative session.
Wildfires
SB 1153 (Caballero, D-Merced) establishes that limitations in water supply or pressure during wildfires are not a substantial cause of damages. It also bolsters wildfire preparedness by requiring urban retail water suppliers in high fire risk areas to include wildfire response procedures in their existing emergency response plans by 2028.
The new law recognizes that while water systems may be available to aid firefighting activities, they are designed to meet state and federal safe drinking water standards and provide water to aid in extinguishing structural fires — not to serve as wildfire suppression systems.
Rate Setting
AB 2180 (Ward, D-San Diego) clarifies how water agencies comply with Proposition 218 when setting water rates, helping to minimize unnecessary legal disputes and providing greater predictability for agencies while supporting California’s water-use conservation goals.
The successful passage and signing of AB 2180 builds on ACWA’s previous advocacy efforts to clarify and improve Proposition 218 requirements for water agencies.
Other Key Water Bills
ACWA staff tracked and engaged on approximately 75 bills during the 2026 legislative session. The governor’s decisions on several other key water bills are outlined below.
Author: Assemblymember James Ramos (D-San Bernardino)
Status: Vetoed
What it would have done: ACWA had an oppose-unless-amended position on this bill, which would have required state governmental agencies to allow access to state public lands for the purposes of tribal religious freedoms. ACWA worked with a coalition of partner organizations to seek amendments that would exclude water from the bill’s provisions and clarify that the bill would not impact public infrastructure projects.
Author: Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose)
Status: Vetoed
What it would have done: ACWA had an oppose-unless-amended position on this bill, which would have required state agencies to implement a policy to address historical inequities affecting California Native American tribes across a wide range of policy decisions. ACWA staff had advocated to ensure the bill included appropriate legal guardrails to protect existing water rights, highlighting concerns regarding the bill’s intent and potential implementation challenges.
Author: Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park)
Status: Vetoed
What it would have done if signed into law: Co-sponsored by ACWA member agencies, this bill would have prohibited a public agency from prohibiting imported water deliveries for groundwater replenishment due to invasive mussels, if the importation complies with a specified invasive mussel control plan and unless there is substantial, documented evidence of a proven health and safety risk as a result of the invasive mussels.
Author: Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton)
Status: Signed
What it will do: Co-sponsored by ACWA member agencies, it will assist water managers in their response to golden mussels by streamlining rapid response actions, directing consistent interim guidance through a state task force. Given the urgency clause in the bill, it will take effect immediately.
Author: Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando)
Status: Vetoed
What it would have done: This ACWA-supported bill would have established a statewide low-income rate assistance (LIRA) program. ACWA strongly supports state efforts to protect water affordability and has consistently advocated for a LIRA program that is workable and efficient for the public water agencies that will play a key role in administering it.
State Budget
The governor signed the state budget on June 29 and signed an updated and amended version into law on Sept. 18.
The June budget included a one-time allocation of $25 million from the General Fund for the ACWA-supported Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program. This funding will support both flow commitments and the habitat and scientific investments associated with the HRL program.
The amended budget includes funding related to Proposition 4 and Greenhouse Gas Reduction funds. Proposition 4 received some critical additional funding for categories including recycled water and conveyance.
Related to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, ACWA has been supporting full allocations for both the Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) and wildfire resilience, both of which were facing significant cuts due to funding shortfalls. The Legislature restored most of the funding on both of these programs through a variety of mechanisms.
Questions
For questions about ACWA state legislative advocacy, please contact ACWA Director of State Legislative Relations Julia Hall.
2025-’26 Legislative Session Wraps up with Key Wins for ACWA Members
ACWA advocacy and coalition building helped advance multiple priority water bills through the Legislature and onto the governor’s desk as the 2025-’26 legislative session closes Monday night.
Below are summaries and the status of a few of the top issues among the approximately 75 bills on which ACWA engaged on behalf of member agencies this year. That advocacy continues as Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to veto or sign bills into law.
The bill numbers below link to the Legislature’s online bill tracking site for more details. Also, in November, ACWA will produce its annual Summary of Legislation document that provides a more detailed analysis of legislation relevant to member agencies.
Author: Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced)
ACWA position: Bill sponsor
What it will do if signed into law: Would bolster wildfire preparedness by requiring certain urban retail water suppliers in high fire risk areas to include wildfire response procedures in their existing emergency response plans by Jan. 1, 2028, including actions to prepare for, respond to and recover from a wildfire. It would also clarify the role of public water agencies and provide guidance to the courts by establishing that limitations in water supply or pressure during a wildfire are not a substantial cause of damages.
Status: Approved by Legislature and sent to governor’s desk
Author: Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego)
ACWA position: Bill sponsor
What it will do if signed into law: Would clarify how water agencies comply with Proposition 218 when setting water rates. This clarification will provide predictability for agencies, support California’s water-use conservation goals and help minimize unnecessary legal disputes over water rates. If signed by the governor, the bill would codify the framework established in Dreher v. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and affirm that water system costs may be allocated using reasonable methodologies and available data without determining exact costs for each parcel.
Status: Approved by Legislature and sent to governor’s desk
Author: Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo)
ACWA Position: Led support-if-amended coalition
What it would have done: Would have required the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to establish a statewide framework and uniform standards and procedures for inspection and decontamination of watercraft to prevent spread of invasive mussels. It would have also required CDFW to establish licensing and training standards to prevent spread.
Status: Failed to pass out of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s suspense file, effectively stopping the bill
Author: Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park)
ACWA Position: Support
What it will do if signed into law: Co-sponsored by ACWA member agencies, it would prohibit a public agency from prohibiting imported water deliveries for groundwater replenishment due to invasive mussels, if the importation complies with a specified invasive mussel control plan and unless there is substantial, documented evidence of a proven health and safety risk as a result of the invasive mussels.
Status: Approved by Legislature and sent to governor’s desk
Author: Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton)
ACWA Position: Support
What it will do if signed into law: Co-sponsored by ACWA member agencies, it would assist water managers in their response to golden mussels by streamlining rapid response actions, directing consistent interim guidance through a state task force, improving infestation mapping, and supporting pilot studies and scientific research. Given the urgency clause in the bill, it would take effective immediately.
Status: Approved by Legislature and sent to governor’s desk
Author: Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando)
ACWA position: Support
What it will do if signed into law: Would establish a statewide low-income rate assistance (LIRA) program. ACWA strongly supports state efforts to protect water affordability and has consistently advocated for a LIRA program that is workable and efficient for the public water agencies that will play a key role in administering it.
Status: Approved by Legislature and sent to governor’s desk
Author: Assemblymember James Ramos (D-San Bernardino)
ACWA Position: Oppose-unless-amended
What it will do if signed into law: Would require state governmental agencies to allow access to state public lands for the purposes of tribal religious freedoms. The state governmental agency would be required to show that a Californian Indian or California Native American tribe’s religious beliefs or spiritual practices are not substantially burdened and allow a tribe to pursue a private right of action against the state. A state governmental agency would need to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of tribal entities before undertaking projects they know may pose a risk to a sacred site, such as the alteration of its essential characteristics.
ACWA worked with a coalition of partner organizations to seek amendments that would exclude water from the bill’s provisions and clarify that the bill would not impact public infrastructure projects. ACWA staff provided lead testimony during policy committee hearings.
Status: Approved by Legislature and sent to governor’s desk; ACWA advocating for veto
Author: Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose)
ACWA Position: Oppose-unless-amended
What it will do if signed into law: Would require the California Natural Resources Agency, along with other state agencies, to implement a policy to address historical inequities affecting California Native American tribes when revising, adopting or establishing rights, policies, regulations, permits or grant criteria to address identified inequities. If a dispute arises over the implementation of this bill, the issue would be elevated to the Office of Tribal Affairs and subject to a mediation process.
ACWA staff advocated to ensure the bill includes appropriate legal guardrails to protect existing water rights and provided lead testimony throughout the legislative process, highlighting concerns regarding the bill’s intent and potential implementation challenges.
Status: Approved by Legislature and sent to governor’s desk; ACWA advocating for veto
State Budget
The governor signed the state budget on June 29, and the Legislature is expected to pass an amended version on Sept. 1, with final approval by the governor expected to follow.
The June budget included a one-time allocation of $25 million from the General Fund for the ACWA-supported Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program. This funding will support both flow commitments and the habitat and scientific investments associated with the HRL program.
The proposed amended budget includes funding related to Proposition 4 and Greenhouse Gas Reduction funds. Proposition 4 received some critical additional funding for categories including recycled water and conveyance.
Related to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, ACWA has been supporting full allocations for both the Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) and wildfire resilience, both of which were facing significant cuts due to funding shortfalls. The Legislature restored most of the funding on both of these programs.
Questions
For questions about ACWA state legislative advocacy, please contact ACWA Director of State Legislative Relations Julia Hall.
ACWA Now Accepting Legislative Proposals for 2027
ACWA is encouraging member agencies to submit ideas for legislative solutions that will help shape the association’s advocacy during the 2027 legislative year.
Each year, member agencies are encouraged to submit proposals for ACWA to sponsor or support bills. ACWA’s State Legislative Committee evaluates the proposals and determines which position to take.
In a typical year, association staff monitor and advocate on approximately 100 bills affecting California water. Member agency proposals help guide priorities for this advocacy.
How to Submit a Proposal
Member agencies that want to submit a proposal for consideration must do so by Sept. 25 and take the following steps:
- Complete the online Legislative Proposal Form available on the State Legislative Committee page of the ACWA website. Member login is required to access; and
- Obtain a resolution passed by the agency’s governing body in support of the proposal (or at a minimum have a resolution for consideration noticed by Sept. 25) and attach it to the online form.
ACWA staff will contact agencies directly regarding the status of the proposal after it is submitted. Agencies may be asked to present their proposals to the State Legislative Committee at its Oct. 29 in-person planning meeting in Sacramento.
Questions
For questions about submitting legislative proposals, contact ACWA State Relations Assistant Annie Kanjamala at (916) 669-2427.
ACWA-Sponsored Wildfire Bill Advances Through the Assembly
ACWA-sponsored SB 1153 (Caballero) took another key step forward this week when it cleared the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. The bill would clarify the limited role of public water systems during wildfires while strengthening emergency preparedness in high-risk areas.
Along with ACWA, Matt Samson, Board member at Marin Municipal Water District, provided lead testimony in support of the bill. Nearly 20 other ACWA members spoke in support of the bill.
SB 1153 now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Member agencies can still join the coalition of more than 75 signatories supporting the bill by completing an online form.
A fact sheet on SB 1153 is available at acwa.com/resources.
Background
Wildfires are increasing in frequency, severity and destructive impact across California. Public water systems continue to be vulnerable to wildfire-related impacts, including infrastructure damage, power disruptions, water quality degradation and excessive or uncontrolled water demands.
While water systems may be available to aid firefighting activities, they are intentionally designed to meet state and federal safe drinking water standards and provide water to aid in extinguishing structural fires to the properties they serve — not to serve as wildfire suppression systems. Designing water infrastructure to function as wildfire defense systems would be physically impracticable, financially infeasible and could compromise drinking water quality and affordability.
At the same time, proactive planning is essential. SB 1153 would require urban retail water suppliers serving high or very high fire hazard severity zones to incorporate incident-specific wildfire response procedures into their existing disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.
By improving wildfire planning and resilience while recognizing the physical and financial limits of water infrastructure, SB 1153 would help protect ratepayers, support emergency response and ensure the long-term reliability of California’s drinking water systems.
Questions
For questions about SB 1153, please contact ACWA State Relations Advocate Kylie Wright at (916) 669-2382.
ACWA-Sponsored Wildfire Preparedness Bill Advances Again
ACWA-sponsored SB 1153 (Caballero) continues to gain momentum, passing out of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee yesterday with five aye votes and zero no votes. The bill would clarify the limited role of public water systems during wildfires while strengthening emergency preparedness in high-risk areas.
The author accepted committee amendments that would:
- Require within the wildfire response procedures, an assessment of the resilience of critical infrastructure, including an evaluation of fire hardening measures and backup power;
- Include within the elements of the wildfire response procedures, a plan to prepare tanks for a red flag warning; and
- Require the wildfire response procedures to be provided to the county Office of Emergency Services.
SB 1153 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Member agencies are encouraged to join the growing coalition supporting the bill by completing an online form.
A fact sheet on SB 1153 is available at acwa.com/resources.
Background
Wildfires are increasing in frequency, severity and destructive impact across California. Public water systems continue to be vulnerable to wildfire-related impacts, including infrastructure damage, power disruptions, water quality degradation and excessive or uncontrolled water demands.
While water systems may be available to aid firefighting activities, they are intentionally designed to meet state and federal safe drinking water standards and provide water to aid in extinguishing structural fires to the properties they serve — not to serve as wildfire suppression systems. Designing water infrastructure to function as wildfire defense systems would be physically impracticable, financially infeasible and could compromise drinking water quality and affordability.
At the same time, proactive planning is essential. SB 1153 requires urban retail water suppliers serving high or very high fire hazard severity zones to incorporate incident-specific wildfire response procedures into their existing disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.
By improving wildfire planning and resilience while recognizing the physical and financial limits of water infrastructure, SB 1153 helps protect ratepayers, supports emergency response and ensures the long-term reliability of California’s drinking water systems.
Questions
For questions about SB 1153, please contact ACWA State Relations Advocate Kylie Wright at (916) 669-2382.
ACWA Coalition Helps Stop Troublesome Wildfire Bill
AB 2013 (Bennett), which would have misrepresented the role of public water systems during wildfires, failed to pass out of the Assembly Emergency Management Committee this week.
ACWA staff led a coalition of member agencies and other associations in opposition to the bill unless amended. ACWA member agencies joined the coalition, provided testimony in committee, and contacted local legislators to express their concerns with the bill.
Proactive Policy by ACWA – SB 1153
This year, ACWA is sponsoring SB 1153 (Caballero), which would clarify the limited role of public water systems during wildfires while strengthening emergency preparedness in high-risk areas. SB 1153 offers to the Legislature a more practical and effective policy alternative to AB 2013, demonstrating ACWA’s proactive policy efforts which ultimately lead to AB 2013’s failure to pass out of committee.
SB 1153 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on April 21 upon adjournment of Emergency Management Committee at the State Capitol, Room 113. ACWA member agencies can join the coalition supporting SB 1153 by completing an online form.
Background
AB 2013 would have required community water systems that service more than 100 customers in high-risk areas to include an annex within their disaster preparedness plans with information regarding system preparedness and resiliency during a wildfire. The bill would have required the annex to be submitted to the county board of supervisors.
The bill would have required the annex to include, among other elements, an assessment of the minimum water tank levels and minimum number and type of water pumps necessary to maintain average daily capacity during a wildfire.
AB 2013 misrepresented the role of public water systems during wildfires, failed to account for the operational realities and complexities of water systems, and could have subjected water suppliers to increased legal liability after a wildfire.
Questions
For questions about SB 1153 or AB 2013, please contact ACWA State Relations Advocate Kylie Wright at (916) 669-2382.
ACWA-Sponsored Proposition 218 Rate-Setting Bill Passes Assembly
ACWA-sponsored AB 2180 (Ward) passed off the Assembly Floor today and is now headed to the Senate. The bill would clarify how water agencies comply with Proposition 218 when setting water rates. This clarification will provide predictability for agencies, support California’s water-use conservation goals and help minimize unnecessary legal disputes over water rates.
The bill will now head to the Senate Local Government Committee, where it is anticipated to be heard in June.
ACWA submitted a letter and provided lead testimony last month in the Assembly Local Government Committee in support of the bill. It’s not too late for member agencies to join the coalition supporting AB 2180 by completing an online form.
A fact sheet is also available for more information on the bill.
Background
Since the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996, public water agencies have been required to ensure that rates do not exceed the proportional cost of service attributable to each parcel. Agencies typically engage independent experts and rely on rigorous cost-of-service studies to meet this constitutional standard.
Despite these efforts, high-volume water users have continued to challenge rate structures in court. Recent appellate court decisions have created uncertainty about how agencies must demonstrate proportionality — particularly for tiered rates. The most recent decision, Dreher v. LADWP, provides a framework that aligns with longstanding industry practice. AB 2180 would codify that framework into statute to ensure clear, consistent standards for agencies statewide.
Providing this clarification will help agencies confidently develop constitutionally sound rates while continuing to deliver safe and reliable water service to their communities.
Questions
For questions about AB 2180, please contact ACWA Senior State Relations Advocate Soren Nelson at (916) 669-2367.
ACWA-Sponsored Wildfire Preparedness Bill Moves Forward
ACWA-sponsored SB 1153 (Caballero) passed out of the Senate Emergency Management Committee yesterday with eight aye votes and zero no votes. The bill would clarify the limited role of public water systems during wildfires while strengthening emergency preparedness in high-risk areas.
Testimony in support of SB 1153 was provided by Dana Moore, Executive Director of the California Utilities Emergency Association, and Dave Pedersen, General Manager of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. ACWA staff and nearly 20 ACWA members and partners also voiced support of the bill to the committee. No opposition testimony was presented.
The bill will now head to the Senate Natural Resources Committee. It’s not too late for member agencies to join the coalition supporting SB 1153 by completing an online form.
Background
Wildfires are increasing in frequency, severity and destructive impact across California. Public water systems continue to be vulnerable to wildfire-related impacts, including infrastructure damage, power disruptions, water quality degradation and excessive or uncontrolled water demands.
While water systems may be available to aid firefighting activities, they are intentionally designed to meet state and federal safe drinking water standards and provide water to aid in extinguishing structural fires to the properties they serve — not to serve as wildfire suppression systems. Designing water infrastructure to function as wildfire defense systems would be physically impracticable, financially infeasible and could compromise drinking water quality and affordability.
At the same time, proactive planning is essential. SB 1153 requires urban retail water suppliers serving high or very high fire hazard severity zones to incorporate incident-specific wildfire response procedures into their existing disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.
By improving wildfire planning and resilience while recognizing the physical and financial limits of water infrastructure, SB 1153 helps protect ratepayers, supports emergency response and ensures the long-term reliability of California’s drinking water systems.
A fact sheet on SB 1153 is available at acwa.com/resources.
Competing Bill – AB 2013
Assemblymember Bennett has also introduced a bill this year relating to emergency preparedness for water suppliers. AB 2013 would require water suppliers that service more than 100 customers in high-risk areas to prepare an emergency preparedness plan for response to red flag warnings, extreme weather events and other major power outages.
The bill would require the plans to include, among other elements, an assessment of the minimum water tank levels and minimum number and type of water pumps necessary to provide an adequate water supply for firefighting activities.
AB 2013 misrepresents the role of public water systems during wildfires, fails to account for the operational realities and complexities of water systems, and could subject water suppliers to increased legal liability after a wildfire.
ACWA’s State Legislative Committee has adopted an oppose-unless-amended position on this bill. Join the coalition opposing AB 2013 unless amended by completing an online form.
Talking Points for both SB 1153 and AB 2013 are available at acwa.com/resources to assist members in discussing the bills with local legislators. Member login is required to access.
Questions
For questions about SB 1153 or AB 2013, please contact ACWA State Relations Advocate Kylie Wright at (916) 669-2382.
ACWA-Sponsored Water Theft Bill Signed by Governor
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed an ACWA-sponsored bill into law that will strengthen water agencies’ ability to protect against water theft.
SB 394 (Allen), co-sponsored with Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, will allow local water agencies to adopt an ordinance with enhanced penalties for water theft from a fire hydrant. Additionally, the bill will remove the one-year reset on existing penalties for the third and additional violations for water theft committed via meter tampering and other methods.
It will also help agencies recover damages by authorizing utilities to pursue civil remedies against any person who tampers with or diverts water from a fire hydrant without authorization.
ACWA and member agencies’ strong advocacy and coalition building throughout the legislative session helped secure passage of the bill through both houses of the Legislature and garner support from the governor.
“This legislative session resulted in the Governor signing a number of bills that will benefit our member agencies, and this is one of them,” said ACWA Director of State Legislative Relations Julia Hall. “Special thanks to the leadership at Las Virgenes for co-sponsoring this bill, which will have a practical and beneficial impact on urban water agencies.”
More information about bill outcomes this legislative session is available in an Advisory distributed last month.
Questions
For questions about SB 394, please contact ACWA Director of State Legislative Relations Julia Hall.
ACWA Secures Favorable Outcomes on Key Water Bills
ACWA advocacy and coalition building played a key role in moving multiple priority water bills through the Legislature and onto the governor’s desk as the 2025 legislative session closed last week. At the same time, ACWA advocacy stopped or delayed passage of several bills that would have negatively impacted member agencies.
One of the most significant wins included the last-minute approval of a spending plan for Proposition 4, the $10 billion climate resilience bond approved by voters last year that provided $3.8 billion for water related categories. ACWA mobilized member agencies to contact legislators and worked within a coalition to make passage of a spending plan a top priority so that shovel-ready projects can proceed without delay. The spending plan was approved by the Legislature and is on the governor’s desk.
Below are summaries and the status of a few top priority issues among the approximately 60 bills on which ACWA engaged on behalf of member agencies this year. That advocacy now continues through letters and meetings urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto or sign bills into law before Oct. 12.
Author: Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica)
ACWA position: Co-sponsored with Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
What it will do if signed into law: Allow local water agencies to adopt an ordinance with enhanced penalties for water theft from a fire hydrant. Additionally, the bill would remove the one-year reset on existing penalties for the third and additional violations for water theft committed via meter tampering and other methods. It would also help agencies recover damages by authorizing utilities to pursue civil remedies against any person who tampers with or diverts water from a fire hydrant without authorization.
Status: Approved by Legislature and on the governor’s desk
Author: Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton)
ACWA position: Co-sponsored with League of California Cities
What it will do if signed into law: Create the PFAS Mitigation Fund to help water and wastewater agencies pay for PFAS contamination treatment costs that would otherwise be covered by local ratepayers on their water and wastewater bills. This bill could leverage multiple sources of funding aimed to keep our water supply safe from forever chemicals while maintaining water affordability.
Status: Approved by Legislature and on the governor’s desk
Author: Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica)
ACWA Position: Oppose
What it would have done: The bill was introduced with the intent of safeguarding California’s water quality protection regime from federal rollbacks; however, its approach would have gone far beyond simply maintaining the status quo. The bill would have complicated the state’s water quality permitting system and expanded upon federal permitting requirements, without a corresponding increase in water quality. ACWA and many member agencies were part of a large coalition opposed to the bill.
Status: Stopped in Legislature and is now a two-year bill
Author: Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced)
ACWA Position: Support
What it will do if signed into law: Directs the Department of Water Resources to modernize the California Water Plan with changes to address California’s new climate reality. The changes include developing water supply targets that will result in an adequate and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses, including the environment, agriculture, the economy and all Californians.
Status: Approved by Legislature and on the governor’s desk
SB 445/Utility Relocations High-Speed Rail
Author: Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)
ACWA Position: Not Favor
What it would have done: Required the High Speed Rail Authority to develop and adopt internal rules to govern the relocation of utility infrastructure to deliver the high speed rail project. The bill would have had major implications for public safety, costs, and the reliable provision of water, sewer, electric and telecommunications services.
Status: Stopped by Legislature and is now a two-year bill
State Budget/Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program
ACWA staff, in coordination with other associations and individual ACWA members, successfully urged legislators to restore $351 million in funding for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program in June.
An Outreach Alert encouraging members to engage with legislators had a significant impact on restoring the funding, representing progress toward restoring the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta (Bay-Delta).
ACWA is a long-standing supporter of the HRL Program, previously referred to as Voluntary Agreements, as the best approach to protecting, restoring and enhancing the Bay-Delta.
State Budget/Golden Mussels
A coalition of water agencies led by Metropolitan Water District and East Bay Municipal Utility District began working on a potential trailer bill policy solution to address water management challenges related to golden mussels. ACWA worked within this member-driven coalition to support that effort. After months of sustained engagement on this issue, the sought after solution for golden mussels was added to a budget trailer bill. In addition to a policy solution, these bills also included a $20 million allocation from an invasive species account for golden mussels issues.
Status: Approved by Legislature and on the governor’s desk
Questions
For questions about ACWA state legislative advocacy, please contact ACWA Director of State Legislative Relations Julia Hall.