SB 571

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Existing law establishes the California Water Commission in the Department of Water Resources and requires the commission to conduct an annual review of the progress and operation of the State Water Project and to carry out various other related functions. Existing law requires the members of the commission to select a chairperson, and authorizes the commission to employ an executive officer and other staff from the staff of the department. The commission is also authorized to employ clerical assistants. Existing law requires the department to furnish the commission with assistance, including technical, legal, and clerical services. This bill would provide for the organization of the commission as a separate agency in state government, instead of as an agency within the Department of Water Resources. The bill would recast and revise provisions relating to the commission's selection of a chairperson and executive officer employment of staff, and delegation of its functions. The bill would also enact the Water Resources Investment Planning Act, and would declare legislative intent relating to the establishment of regional water planning agencies and the development of the California Water Investment Plan. The bill would require the commission to administer the development and implementation of the California Water Investment Plan. (2) Existing law requires the department to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as the California Water Plan. Existing law prescribes various requirements for the contents of updates to the plan, and requires the department, or the commission at the department's request, to conduct hearings relative to the plan. This bill would instead require the commission to update the plan by an unspecified date, and every 5 years thereafter. The bill would require the plan to include reports developed by the department and regional water planning agencies established pursuant to the Water Resources Investment Planning Act. The bill would require the department and the regional agencies to submit those reports to the commission by an unspecified date, would prescribe the contents of the reports, and would require the department and regional agencies to collaborate and consult with specified agencies and entities for purposes of developing the reports. The bill would recast, and make conforming changes to, requirements for the contents of updates to the plan. The bill would also require the commission, instead of the department, to conduct hearings relative to the plan.