AB 2629

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law, the Irrigation District Law, with certain exceptions, requires a director on the board of an irrigation district that provides electricity for residents of the district to be a voter of the district and a resident of the division that the director represents. Existing law authorizes an irrigation district to sell, dispose of, and distribute electricity for use outside of the district's boundaries. This bill would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) , the Imperial County Local Agency Formation Commission, and the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission to meet to determine the sphere of influence of the Imperial Irrigation District and options for electrical service to the energy service area of the Imperial Irrigation District at the end of a certain lease of electrical rights and to evaluate related issues of the water rights of the Imperial Irrigation District and would, on or before June 30, 2021, require the Imperial Irrigation District to submit any requested documents and information to the Energy Commission for these purposes. The bill would require the Energy Commission to study options to extend representation on the board of directors of the Imperial Irrigation District, for a specified time, to residents within the energy service area of the Imperial Irrigation District but outside its jurisdictional boundaries. The bill would, on or before June 30, 2022, require the Energy Commission to submit a report to the Legislature on these issues, as specified. To the extent the bill would impose new duties on the Imperial Irrigation District or local agency formation commissions, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Imperial County Local Agency Formation Commission, the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission, and the Imperial Irrigation District. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.