BILL NUMBER: AB 2063INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Alejo FEBRUARY 23, 2012 An act relating to water quality. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2063, as introduced, Alejo. Regional water quality control boards. Under existing law, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the State Water Resources Control Board and the 9 California regional water quality control boards are the principal state agencies with responsibility for the coordination and control of water quality in the state. The act requires the state board to formulate and adopt state policies for water quality control, and requires the regional boards to adopt regional water quality control plans in compliance with the state policies. Existing law requires each regional board to conduct certain proceedings, including, but not limited to, holding at least 6 regular meetings each calendar year. Existing law, the Administrative Procedure Act, provides for the conduct of administrative adjudication proceedings of state agencies. Existing law generally prohibits communication during a pending proceeding, regarding any issue in the proceeding, to the presiding officer by an employee or representative of an agency that is a party to the proceeding without notice and opportunity for all parties to participate, except as specified. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to permit the interaction and communication between board members of a regional board and interested parties that are members of the community so that the regional board conducts its affairs in an open objective manner with public awareness and participation. 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. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to permit the interaction and communication between board members of a regional water quality control board and interested parties that are members of the community so that the regional board conducts its affairs in an open objective manner with public awareness and participation.