As reported at the June RCRC Board of Directors meeting, two water bonds appear to have emerged as the frontrunners to replace the $11 billion water bond currently slated to appear on the November 2014 ballot.
The Senate vehicle is Senate Bill 848 (Wolk), which was recently amended to include the continuous appropriation of $3 billion for the public benefits associated with water storage, among other things. The current version of SB 848 can be accessed here.
The Assembly vehicle is Assembly Bill 2686 (Perea), which is still a work in progress. The current version of AB 2686 can be accessed here.
SB 848 is currently in the Senate Rules Committee, where it is rumored to be amended again prior to being taken up on the Senate Floor. The Senate vote could occur as early as Monday. State officials have said the deadline for legislative action on the Bond is June 26, 2014 to allow time for changes to the November 2014 ballot pamphlet; however, that deadline has been extended into August in past years. It is the goal of a number of interests to pass a new Water Bond before the Legislature breaks for summer recess on July 3, 2014. A large coalition lead by water districts who support the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) are actively opposing SB 848 and supporting AB 2686. Delta interests are backing SB 848.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at (916) 447-4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.