BILL NUMBER: AB 1874INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Gonzalez FEBRUARY 19, 2014 An act to add Sections 10546.1, 10546.2, and 10546.3 to the Water Code, relating to water. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1874, as introduced, Gonzalez. Integrated regional water management plans: funding. Existing law, the Integrated Regional Water Management Planning Act of 2002, authorizes a regional water management group to prepare and adopt an integrated regional water management plan with specified components relating to water supply and water quality. This bill would require the Department of Water Resources to develop, by October 1, 2015, a streamlined application process for the funding of regional projects and programs. The bill would require the Department of Water Resources to promptly review and pay invoices associated with grants for regional projects and programs. The bill would require the Department of Finance to review the Department of Water Resources' contracting procedures for the distribution of grants for regional projects and programs and to report its findings to the Legislature. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 10546.1 is added to the Water Code, to read: 10546.1. On or before October 1, 2015, the department shall develop a streamlined application process for the funding of regional projects and programs. A regional project or program applicant may apply to the department for funding through the streamlined application process if one of the following applies: (a) All regional water management groups within the hydrologic region or subregion have reached an agreement on how the funding which is being applied for will be divided. (b) The proposed regional program or project was selected based on an integrated regional water management plan's comprehensive local project selection process and that integrated regional water management plan is consistent with the current integrated regional water management guidelines developed by the department pursuant to Section 10541. (c) The regional project or program applicant demonstrates that it is undertaking all reasonable and feasible efforts to take into account the water needs of disadvantaged communities in its hydrologic region or subregion. (d) With respect to hydrologic regions and subregions that receive water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the proposed project or program will help reduce dependence on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for water supply. SEC. 2. Section 10546.2 is added to the Water Code, to read: 10546.2. (a) The Department of Finance shall review the department's contracting procedures for the distribution of grants for regional projects or programs for the three years prior to the enactment of this section, and, in its review, shall consider all of the following: (1) The maximum, minimum, and average processing time for contracts and amendments for regional projects or programs funded by the department. (2) The maximum, minimum, and average processing time from reviewing a regional project or program invoice and approval to payment of the project or program invoice. (3) Recommendations for streamlining administrative processes, including all of the following: (A) Delegating increased responsibility to the regional project or program applicant with respect to project or program oversight and review of invoices. (B) Minimizing the need for contract amendments. (C) Ensuring timely processing of contracts and amendments. (D) Ensuring statewide consistency in contract management. (4) Any other information the Department of Finance deems relevant to maximize efficiency in processing grant distributions. (b) The Department of Finance shall report its findings under subdivision (a) to the Legislature by ____. (c) (1) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under subdivision (b) is inoperative on ____, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code. (2) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. SEC. 3. Section 10546.3 is added to the Water Code, to read: 10546.3. The department shall promptly review and pay invoices associated with grants for regional projects and programs.