Statewide Long-Term Water Supply Expansion Bill Passes Assembly Committee

A bill that would establish long-term water supply targets for California, as well as creating a financing plan and having state authorities work with local water authorities to achieve water supply expansions, was passed in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on Tuesday by a 13-0 unanimous vote.

Senate Bill 366, authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), would specifically revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the Department of Water Resources to instead establish a stakeholder advisory committee and to expand the membership of the committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would also require the department to coordinate with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board, other state and federal agencies as appropriate, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the state’s water needs and meeting specified long-term water supply targets established by the bill for purposes of The California Water Plan.

In addition, SB 366, also known as the California Water for All initiative, would require the plan to provide recommendations and strategies to ensure enough water supply for all designated beneficial use, as well as include specified components, including a discussion of various strategies that may be pursued in order to meet the water supply targets, a discussion of agricultural water needs, and an analysis of the costs and benefits of achieving the water supply targets. The bill would also require the department to submit to the Legislature an annual report between updates to the plan that includes progress made toward meeting the water supply targets once established.

In terms of actual numbers, SB 366 would set an interim target of 10 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040, while the Department of Water Resources would develop long-term targets for 2050.

Senator Caballero wrote the bill because California has no statewide target or goal for a sustainable water supply. In an op-ed published in multiple outlets earlier this week, Senator Caballero specifically noted how Governor Gavin Newsom has put into place multiple climate-related targets, such as the 2035 ban on the sale of gas-powered cars in California, but hasn’t put a water target into place despite a growing need to expand California’s water supply. She also noted how the current system had been stretched thin earlier this decade when the mega drought affected virtually all of the state, with the current system designed for far few residents.

No opposition against SB 366

“Despite decades of work to improve California’s water system, our infrastructure remains inadequate to meet present needs and is woefully unprepared to meet future needs,” said Senator Caballero earlier this year. “The targets set in place by SB 366 would create new accountability and effectively generate a commitment from the State, the water community, and stakeholders to follow through on comprehensive, long-term water supply solutions that will transform water management for generations to come.

“While recent storms have been helpful, a combination of factors, including the driest three-year period in 1,200 years, an aging infrastructure, a growing population and economy, antiquated state policies, and climate change, have created a challenge that threatens the survival of some communities and sectors of the economy and jobs. This year’s storms will not resolve years of drought and have further illustrated aspects of our water supply infrastructure that are critically flawed and incapable of delivering contractual water supplies in times of abundance.

“If enacted, SB 366 would establish long-term water supply targets for the State to achieve, require a financing plan, and would update the requirement that state agencies develop a plan to achieve those targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders.”

With the state water supply being a major concern for both parties in the state, as well as nearly every region regardless of being rural or urban, SB 366 received bipartisan support upon being written earlier this year. This was was especially seen by the high number of co-authors, which includes Senator Richard Roth (D-Riverside), Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), and Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta). Since being introduced, SB 366 has unanimously passed every vote, including getting a rare 40-0 vote with no abstentions in the Senate last month.

This led to the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on Tuesday. While it did record two abstentions, the bill nonetheless passed 13-0, boding well for an ultimate passage and signing by Governor Newsom later this year.

“Increased water storage capacity is a big issue for all sides, regardless of party or geographic location of the lawmakers,” Dana, a Capitol staffer told the Globe on Wednesday. “Cities and other urban areas need water for larger populations. And for rural areas, farms need water to keep crops growing. Areas with state and national parks also need water to sustain wildlife and flora. Water supply is critical.”

“This is why SB 366 is coasting right on through with everyone on board. It’s something truly needed in the state. And, unlike a lot of other policies, the dates are quite reasonable and achievable, especially with so many cities and counties and state agencies already working feverishly to up capacities. There’s a lot of really divisive bills this year, so it’s always nice to see bills that are truly bipartisan.”

SB 366 is expected to be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee this August.