Last week, the Legislature approved a package of five bills in the Seventh Extraordinary Session designed to address California’s water crisis. This water package reflects months of negotiations between lawmakers and stakeholders. The water plan will be financed through an $11.4 billion bond that will be placed on the November 2010 ballot.
On Friday, the governor signed two of the five bills. SB x7 6 establishes a statewide program to measure groundwater elevations. SB x7 8 adds 25 state enforcement officers to track down illegal water diversion. The governor is expected to sign the remaining bills this week, including the water bond measure.