Wine Country Times

Legislation that would assist hundreds of thousands of Californians who have fallen behind on their water bills, an issue made worse by the still-ongoing COVID pandemic, "has cleared a key committee hurdle," State Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) reported last week.

"Californians are behind in water bill payments to the tune of $1 billion," Dodd said in an April 13 Twitter post. "Many are at risk of losing this vital service."

Legislation authored by Dodd, Senate Bill 222 and Senate Bill 223 "will help remedy that," Dodd said in his Twitter post, which also thanked his committee colleagues for their support.

In a separate news release issued the same day, Dodd said he issued the two bills "to ensure access and affordability" to water for Californians lacking both.

"All Californians must have access to water, regardless of their income level or economic status," Sen. Dodd said in the news release. "Many people are at risk of being denied this essential service, in part because of rising water rates but also because the pandemic has left so many people unemployed. My legislation will ensure low-income customers aren’t cut off and get the financial help they need to keep the water turned for their families."

SB 222 would set up a water rate assistance program for low-income rate payers experiencing economic hardship, SB Bill 223 would expand existing protections and protocols for customers facing shutoff because of inability to pay. Dodd introduced both bills into the state Senate in January.

Both bills "were approved with overwhelming support" late Monday, April 12, the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications committee and then were referred to the Senate Environmental Quality committee, Dodd said in the news release.

Sen. Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) and Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) are co-authors of both bills.

Both bills build on previous legislation penned by Dodd, including his 2015 Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Act, Assembly Bill 401, which commissioned a study for how to address affordability. Another Dodd bill, The Water Shutoff Protection Act, Senate Bill 998, resulted in recommendations including this new fund. He also wrote The Water Shutoff Protection Act of 2018, Senate Bill 998, which provided significant new safeguards against water shutoffs in California.

SB 222 and SB 223 come fast on the heels of a State Water Resources Control Board survey that found Californian's water debt has climbed to about $1 billion. About 12% of California households are behind on their water bills, with debt averaging $500 per household, according to the survey.

"Many of those people are at risk of losing service," the news release said.

SB 222 and SB 223 are supported by water advocacy groups, including the Community Water Center, Clean Water Action and the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.