ITEM:		GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
9.	REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023
Meeting Date:			January 22, 2024	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			David J. Stoldt	Cost Estimate:
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.

DISCUSSION: In 2023, the District, working with its state and federal legislative consultants, tracked multiple state Assembly and Senate bills, as well as several federal bills. The District also wrote letters of support for legislation or funding. Exhibit 9-A shows state and federal communication during 2023.

Three significant successes in 2023 are:

1) A funding agreement was signed with the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Financial Assistance for the $4.8 million in the 2022-23 State budget grant authority approved by the Governor.

2) A funding was also signed with the State Department of Water Resources for an $11.8 million grant for Urban Drought Resilience utilizing the Pure Water Monterey Expansion project.

3) At the federal level, the Water Resources Development Act was approved in December 2022 with $20 million available for water and wastewater projects on the Monterey Peninsula. The District coordinated efforts in 2023 to start to qualify projects for this funding, including convening potential recipient meetings, as well as setting meetings with the regional Army Corps of Engineer staff. It is hoped that in 2024 the District will develop a programmatic document describing fundable projects and visit with federal interests to negotiate joint funding agreements.

EXHIBIT

9-A Legislative Outreach Communications for 2023

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