BILL NUMBER: AB 1242 ENROLLED BILL TEXT PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 AMENDED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 26, 2009 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 4, 2009 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, 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 human being has the right to clean, affordable, and accessible water for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes, that is adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family. The bill would require all relevant state agencies, including the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, and State Department of Public Health, to employ all reasonable 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, to the extent that those actions do not affect eligibility for federal funds. 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, affordable, and accessible water for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes, that is adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family. (b) All relevant state agencies, including the department, the state board, and the State Department of Public Health, shall employ all reasonable means to implement this state policy. Those state agencies shall revise, adopt, or establish policies, regulations, and grant criteria to further this state policy, including establishing affordability criteria as appropriate, to the extent that those actions do not affect eligibility for federal funds. (c) This section does not expand any obligation of the state to provide water or to require the expenditure of additional resources to develop water infrastructure beyond the obligations that may exist pursuant to subdivision (b). (d) This section shall apply to water supplies for individuals and not for new development. (e) The implementation of this section shall not infringe on the rights or responsibilities of any public water system.