5.5.2015 Water Bills move on to the next phase of the legislative process.
Earlier this month three water bills made it past their initial policy committees in the state legislature. At the heart of these bills are policy initiatives to expand water access in schools, improve water quality for disadvantaged communities, and identify funding opportunities to support greater water access. As California faces one of the worst droughts in its history it is vital that the state continue to support sensible policy solutions that guarantee all Californians have access to safe potable water.
AB 496-Pupil Nutrition Funding for Water: requires the California Department of Education to identify available sources of funding to fund school water quality and infrastructure.
- Status: The bill passed the Assembly Education Committee and is now referred to Assembly Committee on Appropriations. PDF
SB 552-Pupil Nutrition & Drinking Water: requires the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to develop a report identifying specific funding and enforcement mechanisms to ensure disadvantaged communities have water systems that are in compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.
- Status: The bill passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and is now referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations. PDF
SB 334-Public Water Systems & Disadvantaged Communities: requires school districts to provide access to free, fresh, clean and cold drinking water throughout the school day, and test or provide for the testing of drinking water at the beginning of each school year.
- Status: The bill passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and is now referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations. PDF
California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA) will continue to track these and other bills as they move through the legislature. Learn more about CFPA’s State Legislative Agenda. link
Questions? Contact Hector Gutierrez at 213.482.8200 ext. 202
