BILL NUMBER: AB 1594INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Huber (Coauthors: Assembly Members Chesbro, Fong, Gaines, Torlakson, and Yamada) JANUARY 4, 2010 An act to add Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 115) to Division 1 of the Water Code, relating to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1594, as introduced, Huber. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: peripheral canal. Existing law requires various state agencies to administer programs relating to water supply, water quality, and flood management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This bill would prohibit the construction of a peripheral canal, as defined, that conveys water from a diversion point in the Sacramento River to a location south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, unless expressly authorized by the Legislature. The bill would require the Legislative Analyst's Office to complete an economic feasibility analysis prior to the enactment of a statute authorizing the construction of a peripheral canal. The bill would also require that the construction and operation of a peripheral canal not diminish or negatively affect the water supplies, water rights, or quality of water for water users within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 115) is added to Division 1 of the Water Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.5. PERIPHERAL CANAL 115. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) "Delta" means the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, as defined in Section 12220. (b) "Peripheral canal" means a facility or structure that conveys water directly from a diversion point in the Sacramento River to pumping facilities of the State Water Project or the federal Central Valley Project south of the Delta. 116. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a peripheral canal shall not be constructed unless expressly authorized pursuant to a statute enacted by the Legislature on or after the date on which this section becomes effective. (b) Prior to the enactment of any statute authorizing the construction of a peripheral canal, the Legislative Analyst's Office shall complete an economic feasibility analysis that includes both of the following: (1) The total cost of the construction project. (2) Expected impacts of the construction project on taxpayers, water ratepayers, and the General Fund. 118. Notwithstanding any other law, the construction and operation of a peripheral canal shall not diminish or negatively affect the water supplies, water rights, or quality of water for water users within the Delta watershed.