CA SB 583

Title: Salton Sea Conservancy.
Author: Stephen C. Padilla

Summary
SB 583, as amended, Padilla. Salton Sea Conservancy. Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state. Under existing law, the Salton Sea Authority, a joint powers authority, is authorized to form an infrastructure financing district for purposes of restoring the Salton Sea. Existing law creates the Salton Sea Lithium Fund in the State Treasury and continuously appropriates moneys in the fund to the Natural Resources Agency for restoration projects developed or required pursuant to specified plans, State Water Resources Control Board orders, including Order WR 2017-0134, and grants.This bill would establish the Salton Sea Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Salton Sea region, including, among other things, to oversee the operation, maintenance, and management of projects to fulfill the state’s obligations as detailed in State Water Resources Control Board Order WR 2017-0134 and to acquire, hold, and manage land or property rights within the Salton Sea Region after restoration projects are built. The bill would require the conservancy to carry out programs, projects, and activities to further those purposes. The bill would require, by January 1, 2026, the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Salton Sea Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund, including authorized proceeds from the sale of bonds and allocations from the Salton Sea Lithium Fund, available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of the conservancy. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Status
Ordered to inactive file on request of Senator Padilla.

Bill Documents
CA SB 583 - 09/01/23 - Amended Assembly
09/01/23 - CA SB 583 (09/01/23 - Amended Assembly)