AB 854

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 membership of the board of directors of the Imperial Irrigation District to increase from 5 to 11 members, with the 6 additional directors meeting certain qualifications, including that each be a resident of and qualified as eligible to vote in the County of Riverside. The bill would provide for the election of the additional directors at the 2020 general district election. The bill would authorize the district board to adopt a resolution decreasing the number of directors and the divisions from which they are elected from 11 to 5 if a public utility district is formed that provides electricity outside the territory of the Imperial Irrigation District and consists of a board of directors with a majority of seats representing the County of Riverside. By imposing new duties on an irrigation district, this 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 County of Riverside 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.