12092.
(a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Act.(b) No later than January 1, 2016, the department, in collaboration with the board and relevant stakeholders, shall develop a plan for the funding and implementation of the Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program, which shall include all of the following elements:
(1) A description of the method for collecting moneys to support and implement the program.
(2) A description of the mechanism for providing funding assistance under the program through either direct credits to enrollees in the program or reimbursements to water service providers.
(3) A description of the method to be used to determine the amount of moneys that may need to be collected from water ratepayers to fund the program. This section does not authorize the imposition of a state charge to fund the program.
(c) No later than January 1, 2016, the department shall report to the Legislature on its findings regarding the feasibility and desired structure of the program, including any recommendations for legislative action that may need to be taken.
(d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Board” means the State Board of Equalization.
(2) “Department” means the Department of Community Services and Development.
(3) “Low-income” means a household with income that is equal to or no greater than 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline level. For one-person households, program eligibility shall be based on two-person household guideline levels.
(4) “Program” means the Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program.