SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The State of California is subject to periodic drought conditions and is currently in the fourth year of the most recent drought.
(b) The competing demands for traditional water resources have demonstrated that new drinking water supply options need to be added to support the California economy and the public health and safety of all Californians.
(c) There is an immediate need for safe, clean, and reliable new drinking water to provide local and regional water suppliers all available water supply options to meet their local or regional drinking water supply needs.
(d) The Governor’s Water Action Plan encourages the state to maximize local and regional water supply development and calls for the streamlining of the permitting process for desalination and recycling of water.
(e) The policy of the State of California is to reduce its dependence on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
(f) Desalinated water is an important and reliable source for meeting total water demand. Continued and expanded production and distribution of desalinated water for beneficial and permitted uses can improve regional self-reliance by meeting a portion of future increased total drinking water demands.