Transcript LaPA Item 2

CASA 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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ELAP
Enforcement Policy
Toxicity Plan
Tribal Beneficial Uses
Nutrient Policy
 Continued Legal Advocacy
• Attorneys Meetings
• Amicus Advocacy
• Kern Litigation