California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the Water Ratepayers Protection Act of 2023 (Assembly Bill 399) to improve control over water resources last Friday. The act relieves financial pressures on residents and enterprises in the San Diego County Water Authority's service area through the introduction of new affordability safeguards, according to a news released by the San Diego County Water Authority yesterday.
Assembly member Tasha Boerner from Encinitas tabled the legislation, and the City of San Diego sponsored it. The amendments to the bill include expanded voting requirements for the detachment of an agency from the Water Authority. From January 1, 2024, having a majority vote both in the separating district and the County Water Authority would be enforced for any detachment proceedings.
Water Authority Board Chair Mel Katz underlined the importance of representation in this scenario, arguing that, "The people whose rates would increase if a water district leaves the County Water Authority should have a say." Katz also thanked the state Legislature and Gov. Newsom for supporting measures essentially protecting disadvantaged communities, working families, and farmers, among others in the county.
