CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 66

Introduced by Assembly Member Mathis

December 06, 2022

An act to add Section 12805.7 to the Government Code, relating to water.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 66, as introduced, Mathis. Natural Resources Agency: water storage projects: permit approval.
Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state’s natural and cultural resources. Existing law establishes in the agency the Department of Water Resources, which manages and undertakes planning with regard to water resources in the state.
This bill would require the agency, and each department, board, conservancy, and commission within the agency, to approve the necessary permits for specified projects within 180 days from receiving a permit application, and would deem those permits approved if approval does not occur within this time period.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 12805.7 is added to the Government Code, to read:

12805.7.
 (a) (1) The Natural Resources Agency, and each department, board, conservancy, and commission within the agency, shall approve the necessary permits for projects funded pursuant to the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Division 26.7 (commencing with Section 79700) of the Water Code) and other water storage projects within 180 days from receiving the permit application.
(2) If the permit approval does not occur within this time period, the permit shall be deemed approved.
(b) To the extent this section is inconsistent or in conflict with any provision of law, this section shall prevail.