Bill Text: CA SB207 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Delta smelt.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-01 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB207 Detail]

Download: California-2009-SB207-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 207	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Florez

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2009

   An act to add Chapter 2.10 (commencing with Section 35575) to Part
5 of Division 13 of the Water Code, relating to the Westlands Water
District.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 207, as introduced, Florez. Westlands Water District:
electricity generation and delivery.
   Existing law, the California Water District Law, specifies the
powers and purposes of a California water district. The district law
authorizes a California water district to construct, maintain, and
operate plants for the generation of hydroelectric power. The
district law authorizes a California water district to use the power
generated from the hydroelectric plant for its own purposes, or for
the production or transmission of water, but prohibits a district
from offering the electricity for sale directly to customers, other
than a public utility or public agency, for any use other than the
production or transmission of water.
   This bill would authorize the Westlands Water District, a
California water district, to generate, provide, sell, and deliver
electricity, and to construct, own, lease, operate, contract for, and
maintain any works, facilities, improvements, or property necessary
or convenient for that generation and delivery. The district would be
generally required to use the electricity generated by the district
for the development, conveyance, and delivery of surface water and
groundwater supplies or to implement programs to address subsurface
drainage within the district's boundaries. The bill would authorize
the district to sell, dispose of, or distribute electricity to
others, as specified, only if the district does not require the use
of all electricity generated by the district.
   The bill would make legislative findings and declarations
regarding the need for special legislation.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Chapter 2.10 (commencing with Section 35575) is added
to Part 5 of Division 13 of the Water Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 2.10.  WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT


   35575.  For purposes of this chapter, "district" means the
Westlands Water District.
   35576.  The district may generate, provide, sell, and deliver
electricity as provided in this chapter, and may construct, own,
lease, operate, contract for, and maintain any and all works,
facilities, improvements or property, or portions thereof, necessary
or convenient for that generation or delivery or as otherwise
necessary or convenient to carry out this chapter.
   35577.  Subject to Section 35578, all electricity generated by the
district shall be used by the district solely for the development,
conveyance, and delivery of surface water and groundwater supplies or
to implement programs to address subsurface drainage within the
district's boundaries.
   35578.  If the district does not require the use of all of the
electricity it generates, the district may do either of the
following:
   (a) Sell, dispose of, or distribute surplus electricity for use
outside of its boundaries by other public agencies for the limited
purpose of addressing water supply or subsurface drainage in the
Counties of Fresno, Kings, Madera, or Merced.
   (b) Sell surplus electricity in the wholesale market monitored by
the California Independent System Operator, or to electrical
corporations, or local publicly owned electric utilities.
   35579.  Except as provided in Section 35578, the district may not
provide, sell, dispose of, or distribute electricity to any other
party.
  SEC. 2.  The Legislature finds and declares that this act, which is
applicable only to the Westlands Water District, is necessary
because of the unique and special electricity requirements in the
area included in the district. It is, therefore, hereby declared that
a general law within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the
California Constitution cannot be made applicable to the district and
the enactment of this special law is necessary for the public good.