ITEM:

INFORMATIONAL ITEM/STAFF REPORT

 

17.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE’S STATE AND FEDERAL BILL TRACKING

 

Meeting Date:

July 20, 2020

Budgeted: 

N/A

 

From:

David J. Stoldt,

Program/

N/A

 

General Manager

Line Item No.: 

 

 

Prepared By:

David J. Stoldt

Cost Estimate: 

N/A

 

General Counsel Review:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  N/A

CEQA Compliance:  This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines section 15378.

 

SUMMARY:  Attached as Exhibit 17-A is an overview of the California bills being tracked by the District during this legislative session.  Exhibit 17-B shows federal bills.  At the June 18, 2020 Legislative Advocacy Committee meeting JEA & Associates and The Ferguson Group provided oral presentations and the Committee identified several bills for priority, which are in the Exhibits.

 

In addition, the District is closely watching HR 2 at the federal level.  July 2nd, in a near party line vote, the House passed an aggressive $1.5 trillion infrastructure package, the Moving Forward Act (HR 2). Going beyond routine highway and surface transportation funding, the legislation provides $500 billion in highway and transit funds, $100 billion for schools, $100 billion for affordable housing, $100 billion for broadband, $70 billion in investments in the electric grid, $30 billion for hospitals, and $25 billion for the US Postal Service.  The measure also includes: $82.49 billion for water infrastructure, $40 billion for the Clean Water SRF ($8 billion a year), including $400 million annually ($2 billion total) for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program, which is well above the current authorization level of $225 million per year; $750 million for Reclamation’s storage account; $700 million for water management improvements; and $500 million for water recycling; $200 million for desalination and $150 million for environmental restoration, watershed health and drought preparedness. 

 

EXHIBITS

17-A    MPWMD State Legislative Track

17-B    MPWMD Federal Legislative Track

 

 

 

 

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