BILL NUMBER: AB 1242	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 2, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ruskin

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 106.3 to the Water Code, relating to water.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1242, as amended, Ruskin. State water policy.
   Existing law establishes various state water policies, including
the policy that the use of water for domestic purposes is the highest
use of water.
   This bill would declare that it is the established policy of the
state that every  Californian shall have access to safe,
affordable water for basic human needs.   human being
has the right to clean and accessible water on an equitable basis,
that is adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and
family, and that no one shall be deprived of that access or quality
of water due to individual economic circumstances.   The
bill would require relevant state agencies, including the Department
of Water   Resources, State Water Resources Control Board,
and State Department of Public Health, to employ all feasible means
to implement this state policy. Those state agencies would be
required to revise, adopt, or establish policies, regulations, and
grant criteria to further this state policy. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes . State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION. 1.    Section 106.3   is added to
the   Water Code   , to read:  
   106.3.  (a) It is hereby declared to be the established policy of
the state that every human being has the right to clean and
accessible water on an equitable basis, that is adequate for the
health and well-being of the individual and family, and that no one
shall be deprived of that access or quality of water due to
individual economic circumstances.
   (b) Relevant state agencies, including the department, the state
board, and the State Department of Public Health, shall employ all
feasible means to implement this state policy. Those state agencies
shall revise, adopt, or establish policies, regulations, and grant
criteria to further this state policy.
   (c) This section shall apply to water supplies for individuals and
not for new development.
   (d) The implementation of this section shall not infringe on the
rights or responsibilities of any local or regional water agency or
municipality.  
  SECTION 1.    Section 106.3 is added to the Water
Code, to read:
   106.3.  It is hereby declared to be the established policy of the
state that every Californian shall have access to safe, affordable
water for basic human needs.