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Communicate AWMC News & Updates 2009 Legislation
Communicate AWMC News & Updates 2009 Legislation 
| 2009 Legislation |
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Navigating water legislation at the capitol for the last couple weeks has been difficult to follow. The details surrounding the legislation
continually change as both Republicans and Democrats strive for a mutual
agreement. The sticking point is the possible new powers and authority for the
State Water Resources Control Board.
Despite the package’s ever-changing form, the Agricultural Water Management
Council is still named as the entity for water management plans. Districts with
a Council endorsed plan have met the new requirements for water management
planning under the proposed legislation.
As of yet, the bill requires all districts with 10,000 irrigated acres and above to submit water management plans to the Department of Water Resources. Districts under 25,000 irrigated acres are eligible to receive state funding to offset the costs of preparing a plan. Newly added, the Council has been named to work with DWR to develop a definition for agricultural water use efficiency.
The policy bill only requires a majority vote and could pass without
Republican support, whereas a bond would require a two-thirds majority to
pass.
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has called for a session Monday, November, 2.
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