Bill > AB1373

This bill modifies California's Water Code to establish new procedures for state water quality certification of hydroelectric facility licenses. Specifically, if an applicant requests a public hearing within 14 days of receiving an initial draft certification, the State Water Resources Control Board must hold a public hearing at least 21 days before taking action on the certification. When such a hearing is requested, the board cannot delegate its authority to issue the certification, meaning the board itself must make the final decision. The bill also allows the board to include fees in its schedule to cover the reasonable costs associated with holding these public hearings or processing certifications that cannot be delegated. This change is part of the state's implementation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which requires states to certify that proposed projects will not reduce water quality below established standards. The bill aims to increase transparency and public input in the certification process for hydroelectric facilities while ensuring the state maintains its regulatory oversight.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1373