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ITEM: |
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT |
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6. |
REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES IN 2025 |
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Meeting Date: |
December 15, 2025 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
N/A |
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General Manager |
Line Item No.: |
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Prepared By: |
David J. Stoldt |
Cost Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Review: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as
defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378. |
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SUMMARY: Unexpectedly, on October 28th the District was notified that it was selected by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) as the Region 5 “Outreach Award” honoree for 2025. Outreach Awards recognize the most active ACWA member agencies based on overall engagement on legislative and regulatory issues. The District did not apply for the award.
ACWA Region 5 extends from Contra Costa County and San Francisco in the north, to Santa Barbara County in the south. The letter and map are shown in Exhibit 6-A.
The District has won the Region 5 award previously in 2016 and 2017.The District was also named the “Most Active Small Agency” Outreach Award recipient in 2017.
At its March Legislative Advocacy Committee meeting, the Committee was informed of a proposed Senate Bill 473 that would reinstate “decoupling” for investor-owned water utilities. Decoupling allows utilities to more easily collect anticipated revenues, even if reduced demand due to conservation, drought, or poor forecasting were to occur. The District had previously fought against full decoupling in CPUC general rate cases. The District and JEA & Associates worked with the CPUC Public Advocates office to actively oppose the legislation. The legislation failed to meet its August 28, 2025 deadline after being placed in the Assembly Suspense File. There is a thin possibility it may be acted upon in January 2026. The District’s communication on SB 473 is included as Exhibit 6-B.
The District’s other legislative activities are included in Exhibit 6-C.
6-A ACWA “Outreach Award” Recognition
6-B District Letter of Opposition to SB 473
6-C Other Legislative Activities in 2025
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Report\06\Item-6.docx