California Senate Bill SB758 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 758AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 8, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Senator Block FEBRUARY 27, 2015 An act to add  Chapter 7.2 (commencing with Section 25621) to Division 15 of the Public Resources   Section 12805.4 to the Government  Code, relating to climate change. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 758, as amended, Block. Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation  Fund.   Program.   Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to implement and administer various energy research, demonstration, development, and conservation programs in the state. Existing law also requires specified state agencies to prepare and submit to the Secretary for Environmental Protection, specified information relating to the state's greenhouse gas emissions.   Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, comprised of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state's natural and cultural resources.  This bill would  establish the Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Program in the Natural Resources Agency to research the causes and effects of atmospheric rivers, and to take actions to capture water generated by atmospheric rivers to increase the water supply and reliability of water resources in the state. The bill would  establish the Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Fund in the State Treasury for the purposes of funding  research, demonstration, and development of an atmospheric rivers program to mitigate the effects of climate change associated with atmospheric rivers.   the program.  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 12805.4 is added to the   Government Code  , to read:   12805.4. (a) The Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Program is hereby established in the Natural Resources Agency. (b) Under the program, the agency shall research the causes and effects of atmospheric rivers, and shall take all actions within its existing authority to capture water generated by atmospheric rivers in order to increase the water supply and reliability of water resources in the state. (c) The Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Fund is hereby established in the State Treasury for the deposit of moneys to be expended by the agency for the program.   SECTION 1.   Chapter 7.2 (commencing with Section 25621) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read: CHAPTER 7.2. ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS RESEARCH AND MITIGATION FUND 25621. There is hereby established in the State Treasury, the Atmospheric Rivers Research and Mitigation Fund, for the purposes of funding research, demonstration, and development of an atmospheric rivers program to mitigate the effects of climate change associated with atmospheric rivers.