CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 1101

Introduced by Senator Caballero

February 19, 2020

An act to add Section 148 to the Water Code, relating to water.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 1101, as introduced, Caballero. Water and Climate Science Advisory Board.
Existing law establishes the Department of Water Resources within the Natural Resources Agency and prescribes the jurisdiction and various general administrative authorities and duties of the department regarding, among other things, matters pertaining to water resources and dams in the state.
This bill would require the department to convene a Water and Climate Science Advisory Board to consist of an unspecified number of members with certain qualifications, appointed by an unspecified method, serving no more than an unspecified number of terms of unspecified length. The bill would require the board to meet an unspecified number of times per year. The bill would require the department to consult with the board when initiating, reviewing, or expanding policies or guidelines regarding impacts of climate change on water resources. The bill would require the department to establish an internal process for department review of and comment on the work of the board, which shall be made publicly available.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Section 148 is added to the Water Code, to read:

148.
 (a) The department shall convene a Water and Climate Science Advisory Board.
(1) The Water and Climate Science Advisory Board shall consist of no more than ____ members appointed by ____. The term of office for members shall be ____ years. A member may serve no more than ____ terms.
(2) Members of the Water and Climate Science Advisory Board shall be prominent scientists with hydroclimate expertise appropriate for advising the department on the inclusion of climate science in department programs, policies, and guidance documents.
(3) The Water and Climate Science Advisory Board shall meet at least ____ times per year.
(b) The department shall consult with the Water and Climate Science Advisory Board when initiating, reviewing, or expanding policies or guidelines that address, in whole or in part, the impact of climate change on water resources.
(c) The department shall establish an internal process for review of and comment on relevant work by the Water and Climate Science Advisory Board. Board review, and any response from department staff, shall be made available to the public.