Bill Text


Add To My Favorites | print page

SB-553 Water transfer.(2003-2004)

SHARE THIS: share this bill in Facebook share this bill in Twitter
SB553:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2003–2004 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 553

Introduced  by  Senator Florez

February 20, 2003

An act relating to water transfer.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 553, as introduced, Florez. Water transfer.
Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to establish an ongoing program to facilitate the voluntary exchange or transfer of water and implement the various state laws that pertain to water transfers.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to develop polices that require the examination of the impact of water transfers on the agricultural economy and social fabric of rural areas and that provide a manner of mitigating the impact of water transfers on the local economy, particularly on agricultural workers.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 (a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(1) Water transferred from agricultural to urban uses in exchange for payments to the agricultural holders of that water may have economic and social impacts on the agricultural areas from which the water is transferred, particularly for agricultural workers formerly employed in agriculture and for those businesses and employees that formerly were sustained and supported by the local agricultural economy.
(2) The economic and social impact of these water transfers on the local agricultural economy and on agricultural workers has not been fully examined or mitigated as these water transfers have occurred.
(b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to develop policies that require the examination of the impact of water transfers on the agricultural economy and the social fabric of rural areas and that provide a manner of mitigating the impact of water transfers to the extent that those transfers cause dislocation to the local economy, particularly agricultural workers.