This morning, the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Sub Committee on Resources and Environmental Protection and Energy released a Senate Budget Plan on Drought, Safe Drinking Water, Water Supply Reliability, and Ratepayer Assistance. This proposal totals $3.41 billion in one-time state and federal funds (Federal “American Rescue Plan” funds, one-time state General Fund, and appropriation of general obligation bonds (Propositions 1 and 68), as is proposed as follows:
Drought, Safe Drinking Water, Water Supply Reliability ($2.41 billion)
Immediate Community Assistance for Water and Drought Relief: $500 million
Emergency Drought Water-Use Efficiency: $500 million.
Sustainable Groundwater Management: $350 million.
Recycled Water: $200 million.
Stormwater Management: $200 million.
Protecting Fish & Wildlife from Drought Impacts: $285 million.
Water Quality: $100 million.
Water Data and Forecast Improvement: $75 million.
Helping Ratepayers, Community Water Systems, Waste Water Treatment Works, and Public Utilities Recover from COVID-19 Economic Impacts. ($1 billion)
Appropriate federal American Recovery Act funds to the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) to help utility customers and utilities address backlogged bills and arrearages associated with COVID economic impacts. The action will include trailer bill language that designates the agency and process for disbursement of ratepayer relief funds, cutting “green tape” for environmentally beneficial projects.
CSDA, per the Chief Executive Officer's approval, has adopted a Support 2 position on this package and has communicated to Senator Atkin's office our thanks for her leadership in proposing investments that will provide immediate ratepayer relief -- which will simultaneously stabilize the budgets of local utility providers who have been impacted by non-payment of debt -- while strengthening the water infrastructure resiliency of the state and our local communities.
This item will be heard in committee tomorrow, Thursday, April 29, 2021, Upon Adjournment of Floor Session. If your agency is interested in calling in support of the proposal, Public Testimony Call-In information is posted to the agenda: the participant access information is 844-291-4185, Access Code 7314409
We will continue to work with the Administration and Legislature to ensure rate payer relief is funded and to find solutions for special districts whose COVID-19 impacts are not covered under this proposal, seeking access to fiscal relief so that your agencies are able to continue to provide consistent and reliable essential local services.