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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - Legislative & Public Outreach Committee - 10/08/2026LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE OCTOBER 8, 2026 East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to 108,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of San Bernardino County. EVWD operates under the direction of a 5­member elected Board. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chris Carrillo Governing Board Member Ronald L. Coats Governing Board Member Legislative & Public Outreach Committee Meeting October 08, 2026 ­ 12:00 PM 31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346 www.eastvalleywater.gov PLEASE NOTE: Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111 Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are available on the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disability­related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order to participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerk at (909) 885­4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PUBLIC COMMENTS Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar. 1.Approve the August 13, 2026 Legislative & Public Outreach Committee meeting minutes INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2.Conservation Update 3.Legislative Update DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.2027­28 Legislative Platform REPORTS 5.Public Affairs/Conservation Activities ADJOURN LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEEOCTOBER 8, 2026East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to108,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of SanBernardino County.EVWD operates under the direction of a 5­member elected Board.COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chris Carrillo Governing Board Member Ronald L. Coats Governing Board Member Legislative & Public Outreach Committee Meeting October 08, 2026 ­ 12:00 PM 31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346 www.eastvalleywater.gov PLEASE NOTE: Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111 Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are available on the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disability­related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order to participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerk at (909) 885­4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PUBLIC COMMENTS Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar. 1.Approve the August 13, 2026 Legislative & Public Outreach Committee meeting minutes INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2.Conservation Update 3.Legislative Update DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.2027­28 Legislative Platform REPORTS 5.Public Affairs/Conservation Activities ADJOURN LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEEOCTOBER 8, 2026East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to108,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of SanBernardino County.EVWD operates under the direction of a 5­member elected Board.COMMITTEE MEMBERSChris CarrilloGoverning Board Member Ronald L. CoatsGoverning Board MemberLegislative & Public Outreach Committee MeetingOctober 08, 2026 ­ 12:00 PM31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346www.eastvalleywater.govPLEASE NOTE:Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of theagenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are availableon the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post thedocuments before the meeting. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disability­related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order to participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerk at (909) 885­4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PUBLIC COMMENTS Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar. 1.Approve the August 13, 2026 Legislative & Public Outreach Committee meeting minutes INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2.Conservation Update 3.Legislative Update DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.2027­28 Legislative Platform REPORTS 5.Public Affairs/Conservation Activities ADJOURN Agenda Item #1 October 8, 20261 Meeting Date: October 8, 2026 Agenda Item #1 Consent Item Regular Meeting TO: Committee Members FROM: Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience SUBJECT: Approve the August 13, 2026 Legislative & Public Outreach Committee meeting minutes RECOMMENDATION That the Legislative & Public Outreach Committee approve the August 13, 2026 meeting minutes. DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership a. Utilize Effective Communication Methods to Foster Exceptional Community Relations FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Respectfully submitted: ________________ William Ringland Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience ATTACHMENTS August 13, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes 8-13-2026 cmc 2 3 3 7 Draft pending approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT August 13, 2026 LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC OUTREACH COMMITTEE MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENTS APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 11, 2026, COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CONSERVATION UPDATE CUSTOMER SERVICE UPDATE 8-13-2026 cmc 2 3 3 7 The Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience provided an update on the District’s Customer Service Strategy, which focuses on modernizing customer-facing tools while maintaining personalized service. The strategy is intended to improve customer access, simplify routine services, support staff, and provide additional ways for customers to interact with the District. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES ADJOURN _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Agenda Item #3 October 8, 20261 Meeting Date: October 8, 2026 Agenda Item #3 Informational Item Regular Meeting TO: Committee Members FROM: Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience SUBJECT: Conservation Update RECOMMENDATION This agenda item is for informational purposes only, no action is required. DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES II - Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability d. Develop a Resilient Local Water Supply V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership a. Utilize Effective Communication Methods to Foster Exceptional Community Relations d. Provide Education Programming that Empowers the Community FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Respectfully submitted: ________________ William Ringland Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience ATTACHMENTS Presentation CONSERVATION UPDATE Legislative and Public Outreach Advisory Committee October 8, 2026 REGULATORY REPORTING •Submitting Multiple Regulatory Reports •Drought and Conservation Report •Urban Water Use Objective Report •Water Loss Audit 2 NONFUNCTIONAL TURF 3 •Developed Resources for Commercial, Industrial, Institutional (CII) and Homeowners Association (HOA) Customers •Designed to Support Consistent, Effective Communication and Community Implementation NONFUNCTIONAL TURF RESOURCES •Developed Materials in English and Spanish •AB 1572 General Guidance •Property NFT Self Assessment •Tree Care •Hosted NFT Summit for CII and HOA Customers •Met with HOA Communities 4 NONFUNCTIONAL TURF WEB PAGE 5 6 STUDENT EDUCATION •Partnership with the Wyland Mobile Learning Experience •Monterey Elementary •Hunt Elementary •Highland YMCA •San Bernardino YMCA •Engaged with Over 600 Students •Conducted Classroom Water Cycle Presentations •Provided Hands-on Activities •Facility Tours •Engaged with Over 1,000 Students WATERPALOOZA 7 •Hosting Conservation Family Friendly Festival •Conservation Workshop •Hydrant Ring Toss •Plant Bingo •Demo Garden •Games •Snacks •Outreach Efforts •Direct Mailer •Social Media •Flyers DISCUSSION Agenda Item #2 October 8, 20261 Meeting Date: October 8, 2026 Agenda Item #2 Informational Item Regular Meeting TO: Committee Members FROM: Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience SUBJECT: Legislative Update RECOMMENDATION This agenda item is for informational purposes only, no action is required. BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS During the 2025-26 Legislative Session, District staff tracked 116 bills that could impact East Valley Water District and service to customers. Legislation covered a wide range of topics including water affordability, Proposition 218, emergency preparedness, wildfire resiliency, water district governance, development, tribal consultation, and protections for utility workers. Throughout the session, staff worked with the District’s legislative advocate and industry partners to monitor proposed legislation and evaluate potential impacts to the District. Priority legislation was organized into Tier I, II and III bills based on the potential impact to District operations and customers. Several Tier I bills advanced through the Legislature, including legislation related to cash payments, Proposition 218 requirements, water district director compensation, accessory dwelling units, wildfire preparedness, and protections for utility workers. Other priority bills did not advance during the session. Staff also monitored Tier II legislation related to water affordability and customer assistance programs, including AB 2739 and SB 1125. District staff will continue to monitor final actions on priority legislation and evaluate any potential impacts to District operations, programs, and customers. Staff will also continue working with the District’s legislative advocate and industry partners as new legislation is introduced during the next legislative session. DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership b. Cultivate and Strengthen Collaborative Partnerships within the Water Industry c. Enhance Legislative Advocacy to Promote Water Security and Sustainability FISCAL IMPACT Agenda Item #2 October 8, 20262 Meeting Date: October 8, 2026 Agenda Item #2 Informational Item There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Respectfully submitted: ________________ William Ringland Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience ATTACHMENTS Presentation LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Legislative and Public Outreach Committee October 8, 2026 CAPITOL OVERVIEW 2 •August 31 – Last Day for Each House to Pass Bills •September 30 – Last Day For Governor to Sign or Veto Bills •November 3 – California Election Tier I Legislation 3 STATUS OF TIER ONE LEGISLATION 4 •AB 1793 (Ward) • Cash Payments: Calculation •AB 1881 (Ramos) •California Indian Freedom Act of 2026 •AB 2013 (Bennett) •High And Very High Fire Risk Areas: Community Water Systems: Preparedness and Resiliency STATUS OF TIER ONE LEGISLATION 5 •AB 2180 (Ward) •Local Government: Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act: Proportional Cost of Service •AB 2568 (Johnson) •Water District Directors: Compensation •SB 1001 (Archuleta) •Local Agency, Public Utility, or Mutual Water Company: Personnel Access: Personal Identity Verification-interoperable STATUS OF TIER ONE LEGISLATION 6 •SB 1117 (Cervantes) •Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units •SB 1153 (Caballero) •Disaster Preparedness: Urban Retail Water Suppliers and Public Water Systems: Wildfire •SB 1326 (Wahab) •California Environmental Quality Act: Tribal Cultural Resources - Mitigation Measures STATUS OF TIER ONE LEGISLATION 7 •SB 1330 (Arreguín) •Assault and Battery: Utility Workers Tier II Legislation 8 STATUS OF TIER TWO LEGISLATION 9 •AB 2739 (Soria) •Water Affordability and System Stabilization •SB 1125 (Menjivar) •Water Rate Assistance Program DISCUSSION Agenda Item #4 October 8, 20261 Meeting Date: October 8, 2026 Agenda Item #4 Discussion Item Regular Meeting TO: Committee Members FROM: Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience SUBJECT: 2027-28 Legislative Platform RECOMMENDATION That the Legislative & Public Outreach Committee recommend that the Board of Directors review and approve the proposed 2027-28 Legislative Platform. BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS East Valley Water District maintains a Legislative Platform to guide the District’s positions on legislative and regulatory items that may impact District operations, water/wastewater services, customers, and the community. The platform provides direction from the Board of Directors and allows staff and the District’s legislative advocate to respond to proposed legislation and regulatory actions in a timely and consistent manner. In preparation for the 2027-28 legislative cycle, staff reviewed the current platform and is proposing updates to better reflect the District’s priorities and legislative environment. The revised platform reorganizes the District’s positions into seven policy areas: •Water Supply, Reliability, and Water Rights •Water Use Efficiency, Conservation, and Affordability •Recycled Water, Wastewater, and Water Quality •Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure Resiliency •Local Governance and District Authority •Critical Infrastructure and Security •Technology and Innovation The proposed changes maintain the District’s core legislative positions while updating and expanding several areas. Key additions include permitting and regulatory coordination, clean fleet requirements, emergency preparedness and operational authority, critical infrastructure protection, and emerging technology. The revised platform also updates language related to water supply reliability, water use efficiency, affordability, recycled water, PFAS, energy, local governance, and District authority. A comparison of the current 2025-26 Legislative Platform and the proposed 2027-28 Agenda Item #4 October 8, 20262 Meeting Date: October 8, 2026 Agenda Item #4 Discussion Item platform is included for Committee review. Items that fall outside the adopted platform or require additional policy direction would continue to be brought to the Board of Directors for consideration. DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership b. Cultivate and Strengthen Collaborative Partnerships within the Water Industry c. Enhance Legislative Advocacy to Promote Water Security and Sustainability FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Respectfully submitted: ________________ William Ringland Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience ATTACHMENTS Draft Legislative Platform Legislative Platform Comparison Proposed 2027-28 Legislative Platform Page 2 of 5 Water Supply, Reliability, and Water Rights Consider Supporting Federal and State funding for water supply development, including surface water treatment/storage, water quality improvements, recycled water, conservation, and related infrastructure. Legislation and regulatory actions that support the timely development of the Delta Conveyance Project, or a successor project, to improve statewide water supply reliability. Policies that protect and enhance reliable, locally controlled water supplies. Legislation that improves the coordination, consistency, and efficiency of permitting and regulatory processes for water and wastewater infrastructure while maintaining appropriate environmental review and public transparency. Consider Opposing Legislation that would unnecessarily restrict or alter existing authority to construct, operate, or maintain State Water Project facilities used to convey water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Legislative or regulatory actions that would negatively affect voluntary agreements associated with statewide water supply and environmental objectives. Regulatory or legislative actions that would compromise established protections for historical water rights. Consider Supporting Water use efficiency policies that are technologically feasible, economically reasonable, and responsive to local conditions. Legislation and programs that reduce or mitigate operational costs to water agencies and their ratepayers. Funding and assistance programs that support low-income and disadvantaged customers while preserving affordability for all customers and Proposition 218 protections. Programs that provide meaningful customer assistance without creating administrative or communication requirements that are disproportionate to the benefits provided. Consider Opposing Broad or nonlocalized conservation mandates that unnecessarily limit local decision-making or result in unreasonable costs to customers. Statewide or locally imposed fees or taxes on water use that increase customer costs without providing a clear and direct benefit to local water service. Requirements that create unreasonable financial or administrative burdens for the District and customers. Page 3 of 5 Recycled Water, Wastewater, and Water Quality Consider Supporting Federal and State policies and funding that support the development and expanded use of recycled water. Legislation and funding that facilitate septic-to-sewer conversion projects. Policies that reduce the manufacture and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that enter wastewater collection and treatment systems. Funding and regulatory approaches that support water quality improvements and cost-effective compliance. Consider Opposing Requirements that duplicate or conflict with existing water or wastewater regulations. Federal or State actions that establish Public Health Goals or Maximum Contaminant Levels outside the established processes of the Federal or California Safe Drinking Water Acts. Consider Supporting Policies and funding that support alternative and renewable energy projects at District facilities. Programs that allow District facilities to offset operational energy needs or provide supplemental electricity to the larger energy grid. Funding and policies that improve the resiliency, reliability, and sustainability of water and wastewater infrastructure. Reasonable accommodations, extensions, or exemptions from clean fleet requirements when suitable zero-emission technology is not commercially available or when diesel-powered vehicles are necessary to support emergency response, system reliability, or other critical District operations. Consider Opposing Requirements that mandate the use of emerging technologies or products before markets are sufficiently developed to support competition, reliability, and reasonable costs. Policies that unnecessarily restrict the District’s ability to select technologies based on operational needs, cost, and long-term performance. Page 4 of 5 Local Governance and District Authority Consider Supporting Policies that preserve local control and allow publicly governed water and wastewater agencies to respond to the specific needs of their communities. Legislation that provides agencies with flexibility to manage operations, finances, infrastructure, and customer programs efficiently. Consider Opposing Legislation that limits or alters the authority and fiduciary responsibilities of the District’s Board of Directors to manage the water and wastewater systems. Unfunded State mandates that impose unreasonable costs or administrative requirements on the District or its customers. Legislation that unnecessarily restricts existing District authority related to public contracting, procurement, rate and fee setting, financial administration, public records, or human resources. Legislation that increases fees, property-related charges, or taxes on District customers without a clear local benefit. Consider Supporting Policies and funding that strengthen the physical and cybersecurity of water and wastewater infrastructure. Programs that assist public water agencies with emergency preparedness, infrastructure protection, system resiliency, and recovery. Policies that preserve the District’s authority to access, operate, and manage its facilities and infrastructure during emergencies, disasters, security incidents, and other critical events. Legislation and regulations that provide public water agencies with the flexibility necessary to make timely operational decisions during emergency conditions. Consider Opposing Federal or State legislation and regulations that hinder the District’s ability to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats, physical threats, or other damage. Requirements that interfere with the District’s ability to implement appropriate security measures or respond effectively to emerging threats. Mandates that impose excessive or duplicative administrative, reporting, documentation, or recordkeeping requirements related to emergency preparedness and response without providing a corresponding operational or public safety benefit. Policies that unnecessarily restrict the District’s access to, or operational authority over, facilities and infrastructure needed to maintain essential water and wastewater services during emergencies or other critical events. Page 5 of 5 Technology and Innovation Consider Supporting Policies and funding that support the responsible use of new and emerging technologies to improve District operations, customer service, efficiency, and system reliability. Programs that provide public agencies with resources, training, and flexibility to evaluate and implement new technologies based on local needs and operational priorities. Policies that support appropriate safeguards for privacy, cybersecurity, data protection, and system security as new technologies are adopted. Consider Opposing Mandates that require the use of new or emerging technologies before they are sufficiently proven, reliable, secure, or cost-effective. Requirements that impose unnecessary administrative, reporting, or compliance burdens related to the evaluation or use of new technologies. Policies that unnecessarily limit the District’s ability to determine when and how new technologies should be used to support its operations and services. 2025-26 Legislative Platform Position Proposed 2027-28 Legislative Platform Position SUPPORT: Federal and State development of bond or general fund-supported funding programs for water supply development, including new surface and groundwater storage, water quality, recycled water, and conservation-related programs and efficient, fair implementation of such programs. water treatment/storage, water quality improvements, recycled water, conservation, and related infrastructure. the Delta Conveyance, or successor project in a timely manner.Delta Conveyance Project, or a successor project, to improve statewide water supply reliability. permitting and regulatory processes for water and wastewater infrastructure while maintaining appropriate environmental review and public transparency. to alter or condition existing authority to construct, operate and maintain State Water Project facilities in order to convey water across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. construct, operate, or maintain State Water Project facilities used to convey water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. relating to this statewide effort.agreements associated with statewide water supply and environmental objectives. awarded to historical water rights.for historical water rights. 2025-26 Legislative Platform Position Proposed New Legislative Platform Position SUPPORT: State legislation that focuses on technologically and economically feasible residential and commercial water use efficiency.reasonable, and responsive to local conditions. ratepayers, thereby enhancing water affordability.agencies and their ratepayers. low-income rate assistance but do not undermine affordability for all ratepayers and Proposition 218 and/or impose administrative or communications burdens that are disproportionate to the potential benefit to low-income ratepayers. customers while preserving affordability for all customers and Proposition 218 protections. SUPPORT: Programs that provide meaningful customer assistance without creating administrative or communication requirements that are disproportionate to the benefits provided. program mandates that unreasonably constrain the Board of Directors to implement restrictions at the local level and therefore increase rates to customers. decision-making or result in unreasonable costs to customers. tax on water use.costs without providing a clear and direct benefit to local water service. the District and customers. EVWD Legislative Platform Comparison Water Supply, Reliability, and Water Rights Water Use Efficiency, Conservation, and Affordability 2025-26 Legislative Platform Position Proposed New Legislative Platform Position SUPPORT: Federal and State legislation that provides a streamlined approach and funding opportunities to assist in the process of septic-to-sewer conversion efforts. substances commonly received in wastewater collection/recycling infrastructure.substances (PFAS) that enter wastewater collection and treatment systems. resources.expanded use of recycled water. and cost-effective compliance. is duplicative or inconsistent with current water/wastewater regulations.regulations. Contaminant Levels outside of the procedures set forth in the Federal and California Safe Drinking Water Acts. Contaminant Levels outside the established processes of the Federal or California Safe Drinking Water Acts. 2025-26 Legislative Platform Position Proposed New Legislative Platform Position SUPPORT: Policies and funding opportunities that facilitate the implementation of alternative energy elements at District facilities to offset operational needs and/or provide supplemental electricity to the larger energy grid. District facilities. SUPPORT: Programs that allow District facilities to offset operational energy needs or provide supplemental electricity to the larger energy grid. water and wastewater infrastructure. requirements when suitable zero-emission technology is not commercially available or when diesel-powered vehicles are necessary to support emergency response, system reliability, or other critical District operations. markets which lack a competitive bidding environment.markets are sufficiently developed to support competition, reliability, and reasonable costs. based on operational needs, cost, and long-term performance. 2025-26 Legislative Platform Position Proposed New Legislative Platform Position SUPPORT: Policies that preserve local control and allow publicly governed water and wastewater agencies to respond to the specific needs of their communities. finances, infrastructure, and customer programs efficiently. Board of Directors to manage the water and wastewater systems, impose unreasonable unfunded State mandated programs, or increase fees, property-related charges or taxes on District customers. District’s Board of Directors to manage the water and wastewater systems. OPPOSE: Unfunded State mandates that impose unreasonable costs or administrative requirements on the District or its customers. OPPOSE: Legislation that increases fees, property-related charges, or taxes on District customers without a clear local benefit. as public contracts, procurement, rate and fee setting, financial administration, public records, and human resources. contracting, procurement, rate and fee setting, financial administration, public records, or human resources. Recycled Water, Wastewater, and Water Quality Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure Resiliency Local Governance and District Authority 2025-26 Legislative Platform Position Proposed New Legislative Platform Position SUPPORT: Policies and funding that strengthen the physical and cybersecurity of water and wastewater infrastructure. infrastructure protection, system resiliency, and recovery. facilities and infrastructure during emergencies, disasters, security incidents, and other critical events. necessary to make timely operational decisions during emergency conditions. to protect and secure critical infrastructure from cyber or physical threats and damages.protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats, physical threats, or other damage. security measures or respond effectively to emerging threats. documentation, or recordkeeping requirements related to emergency preparedness and response without providing a corresponding operational or public safety benefit. over, facilities and infrastructure needed to maintain essential water and wastewater services during emergencies or other critical events. 2025-26 Legislative Platform Position Proposed New Legislative Platform Position SUPPORT: Policies and funding that support the responsible use of new and emerging technologies to improve District operations, customer service, efficiency, and system reliability. evaluate and implement new technologies based on local needs and operational priorities. protection, and system security as new technologies are adopted. sufficiently proven, reliable, secure, or cost-effective. burdens related to the evaluation or use of new technologies. new technologies should be used to support its operations and services. Critical Infrastructure and Security Technology and Innovation