2024 Marked A Year of Policy Success for ACWA Members

As I close out my final legislative session at ACWA and look forward to new opportunities, I want to take a moment to celebrate the successes of 2024 on both legislative and regulatory issues. With key legislation halted, regulations drastically improved, and new policies enacted, this year's accomplishments are a testament to ACWA's strategic advocacy and the collective voice of our members. This year highlighted ACWA's continued commitment to advocating on behalf of public water agencies for the betterment of California water.

One of the most critical victories this year was the passage of AB 2257, sponsored by ACWA and authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City). This bill would allow ratepayers to participate in the ratemaking process and raise specific objections to proposed rate changes before resorting to litigation after the new rates are approved. The bill would provide an opportunity for local agencies and ratepayers to resolve objections during the public process and avoid costly surprise litigation down the road - a significant win for public agencies throughout California. As of Sept. 17, the bill was waiting for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign or veto.

Water rights reforms also took center stage in 2024. AB 460 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), which ACWA initially opposed, saw significant amendments that removed provisions granting the State Water Resources Control Board sweeping authority. Instead, the bill now focuses on penalizing illegal water diversions, a more targeted and reasonable approach. This bill marks the culmination of years of work to protect ACWA member water rights and ensure that illegal diversions are met with significant penalties. This victory was the result of tireless advocacy by ACWA staff and member agencies, whose unified voice was instrumental in securing amendments that protect the current water rights system.

ACWA's advocacy also focused extensively on the budget process in 2024. With a significant budget shortfall projected for the next three years, lawmakers looked to make budget cuts wherever possible. This included a reduction in over $500 million for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, formerly known as the Voluntary Agreements, contained in the main budget bill AB 107 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino). ACWA and a broad coalition of partner agencies and associations successfully advocated for the restoration of this critical funding in the follow up budget bill, SB 108 by Senator Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco). This represents another huge win and hopefully the last time this funding is jeopardized.

On the regulatory front, ACWA worked extensively with its members and coalition partners over the last year to secure wide-ranging amendments to the State Water Board's Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulation. The changes have resulted in a more feasible and cost-effective regulation, and included changes to timelines for the outdoor water use standard and performance measures, inclusion of feasible alternative compliance pathways, modifications to compliance start dates and other significant changes that will assist agencies in complying with the regulation.

In short, 2024 has been a year of significant success for ACWA members. ACWA secured wins that protect ratepayer processes, modernize water rights, ensure funding for future resilience, move the state forward on water-use efficiency, and so much more.

Looking ahead, there is some un certainty. A special session in October related to oil and gas companies is on the horizon, a huge influx of new faces will be entering the Legislature in 2025, and a climate resilience bond will be on the November ballot. While the next legislative year may bring some surprises and some unknowns, one thing remains certain. ACWA will continue to advocate in the halls of the Capitol on behalf of its members with the same expertise and success that have defined this organization for years.

ACWA's staff and members have proven that when we come together with a clear and unified message, we can drive meaningful change on California water policy.