Groundwater sustainability agency: financial authority.
If enacted, SB 1356 will affirm the authority of groundwater sustainability agencies to levy fees on groundwater extraction and other regulated activities. This financial capability is crucial for funding the necessary efforts to ensure responsible groundwater management in areas experiencing critical overdraft conditions. The bill stipulates procedural requirements, including the obligation for agencies to hold public meetings before implementing or increasing fees, thereby promoting transparency and public engagement.
Senate Bill 1356, introduced by Senator Borgeas, aims to amend Section 10730 of the Water Code, relating to groundwater sustainability agencies and their financial authority. The existing framework under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires groundwater sustainability agencies to manage designated high- and medium-priority basins in accordance with sustainability plans. The bill introduces provisions for these agencies to impose fees to support their groundwater sustainability programs, which include planning, enforcement, and compliance activities.
Though SB 1356 seeks to enhance the financial and operational capacities of groundwater sustainability agencies, there may be concerns about the financial burden on users subject to these fees, especially small or de minimis extractors. The requirement for public meetings and the provision of data 20 days prior to such meetings are designed to mitigate concerns over transparency but may still lead to resistance from stakeholders worried about increased costs associated with groundwater extraction.
Overall, SB 1356 represents an important legislative step in reinforcing the governance framework for groundwater sustainability in California. Its implementation is likely to provoke discussions around balancing the need for sustainable water management against the economic implications for local water users and stakeholders.