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HomeMy WebLinkAbout97.LaPA Item 2 - CASA Presentation 10-10-16CASA 2016 Legislative Recap &2017 Priorities Preview Adam D. Link Director of Government Affairs October 10, 2016 A Look Back at 2016… 2016 Successes SB 163 (Hertzberg) •CASA lead coalition in opposition to zero ocean discharge legislation. CASA Member Bills •SB 970 (Leyva): Criteria for organics diversion program [IEUA] •AB 2022 (Gordon): Support for Advanced Purified Demonstration Water [OCSD] •AB 1773 (Obernolte); Eligibility for renewable energy credit [VVWRA] Little Hoover Commission Testimony Issues that Never Materialized No microbeads follow up legislation as anticipated; No flushable wipes legislation, but developments continue; No new Water Bond; No major Proposition 218 reform. Other Significant 2016 Legislation SB 1069 (Weickowski): Accessory Dwelling Units [Signed] •New law changes the way connection fees and capacity charges for accessory dwelling units can be assessed by water and wastewater agencies. Final bill contained compromise language that caused CASA and other local government associations to go neutral. AB 1842 (Levine): Fish & Game Penalties [Signed] •CASA opposed bill due to potential for “double penalties” under Water Code and Fish & Game Code. Sponsor and author were not comfortable with CASA proposed amendments, but ultimately agreed upon a letter to the journal indicating double penalties is not the intent or purpose of the bill. SB 1383 (SLCP Implementation Bill) [Signed] •Generally provides opportunities for POTWs to be solution providers in addressing short-lived climate pollutants. [methane reduction, diversion of organic waste from landfills, incentives for production and use of renewable gas (i.e., biogas)] What’s New at CASA for 2017? Addition of Manager of State Legislative Affairs Position •Jessica Gauger (November 2016) “Day in the District” 2017 CASA Climate Change Program •Formerly the California Wastewater Climate Change Group (CWCCG), now a core CASA program. Creation of CASA Collection System Workgroup Continued Collaboration Ongoing Collaborations With Fellow Associations League of California Cities Counties (CSAC) Special Districts (CSDA) Water Agencies (ACWA) WateReuse CA Bioenergy Association of California (BAC) Regional Associations/Partners •BACWA •CVCWA •SCAP •CWEA National Partners: NACWA, WEF, WE&RF Continued Close Relationship with OCSD Staff Federal Leg Committee: Jim Colston State Leg Committee: Rebecca Long Communications WG: Jennifer Cabral Collection System WG: Dindo Carrillo Program Committee: Lisa Haney Attorneys Committee: Brad Hogin Regulatory WG •Land Co-Chair: Tom Meregillano •Water Co-Chair: Lisa Haney •WEF Rep: Chris Stacklin 2017 Anticipated State Legislative Priorities Return of SB 163 (Hertzberg) •Currently working on preparing and assembling coalition •Developing alternatives, materials, and strategies Legislation Implementing Governor’s Executive Order B-37-16 on Water Conservation Targets •Could include examination of impacts of increased conservation on wastewater systems, impacts to recycled water supplies, etc. Bioenergy and Climate Change •Continued tracking of cap and trade funds (if there are any…) •Outcome from Little Hoover Commission hearings (Final Report expected in Spring of 2017) State Legislative Committee Planning Session Tentatively Scheduled: December 14, 2016 in Sacramento 2017 Anticipated Federal Legislative Priorities Pushing Senate Version of WRDA Across the Finish Line: Key Provisions •WaterSense Program (section 7112) •Sewer Overflow Grants (section on 7201) •Compliance Schedules and Integrated Planning (section 7203) •WIFIA (section 7302) •Innovation in Clean Water SRFs (section 7308). •Coastal Resiliency (section 4013) Transition Memo Development •Clean Water SRF Funding and Changes •Other Funding Mechanisms (WIFIA, Title XVI, iBank) •Regulatory Reform •Clean Water Advisory Council (NEW) Federal Legislative Committee Planning Session Scheduled: December 1, 2016 at OCSD Upcoming CASA Events and Initiatives CASA Communications Workshops (October 18 and 20) CASA Attorneys Committee Fall Meeting (November 18) CASA 2017 Winter Conference (January 18-20) CASA Washington D.C. Policy Forum (February 27 -March 1) CASA State Public Policy Forum 2017 (April 19) Joint with WateReuse CA NEW: Day in the District Initiative (Spring 2017) NEW: California Wastewater Information Sharing Website Collaboration with Clean Water Summit Partners NEW: Expanded Initiatives Aimed at Young Professionals Other Updates and Opportunity for Questions Regulatory Issues •ELAP •Enforcement Policy •Toxicity Plan •Tribal Beneficial Uses •Nutrient Policy Continued Legal Advocacy •Attorneys Meetings •Amicus Advocacy •Kern Litigation