veeto
Home
Bills
Influence
Feedback
hamburger
    Privacy PolicyResources
    © 2025 Veeto.
    AB-269
    Natural Resources & Water

    Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Expands the Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program to include funding for the removal of dam facilities at existing state jurisdictional dams.
    • Requires grant recipients to provide at least 50% cost-sharing for dam safety projects, with possible waivers for financial hardship or urgent safety risks.
    • Prioritizes funding for projects that protect public safety, restore water storage, and reduce flood risks.
    • Prohibits the use of program funds for raising dams or increasing reservoir capacity.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Bennett's proposal to modify California's Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program would add the removal of project facilities to the list of activities eligible for state funding. The program, which currently supports repairs, rehabilitation, and safety enhancements at state-regulated dams operating before January 1, 2023, provides grants to dam owners for projects that protect public safety and manage water resources.

    The Department of Water Resources administers these grants according to a defined hierarchy of public benefits, with public safety protection receiving top priority, followed by water storage restoration, flood risk reduction, water supply reliability, habitat enhancement, and water quality protection. Recipients must provide a minimum 50% cost share, though this requirement may be reduced if it would impose extreme financial hardship or if the dam presents substantial safety risks. Federal funding and other state grants can fulfill the cost-share obligation.

    The program maintains existing restrictions on fund usage, prohibiting projects that would raise dams, expand reservoir capacity, or increase water impoundment. Before implementing this change, the Department of Water Resources must develop new program guidelines and solicitation documents for the expanded scope of eligible projects.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Steve BennettD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Jeff GonzalezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 3 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 1
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Steve BennettD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jeff GonzalezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Steve Bennett
    Steve BennettD
    California State Assembly Member
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/17/2025)

    Key Takeaways

    • Expands the Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program to include funding for the removal of dam facilities at existing state jurisdictional dams.
    • Requires grant recipients to provide at least 50% cost-sharing for dam safety projects, with possible waivers for financial hardship or urgent safety risks.
    • Prioritizes funding for projects that protect public safety, restore water storage, and reduce flood risks.
    • Prohibits the use of program funds for raising dams or increasing reservoir capacity.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Steve Bennett
    Steve BennettD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Bennett's proposal to modify California's Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program would add the removal of project facilities to the list of activities eligible for state funding. The program, which currently supports repairs, rehabilitation, and safety enhancements at state-regulated dams operating before January 1, 2023, provides grants to dam owners for projects that protect public safety and manage water resources.

    The Department of Water Resources administers these grants according to a defined hierarchy of public benefits, with public safety protection receiving top priority, followed by water storage restoration, flood risk reduction, water supply reliability, habitat enhancement, and water quality protection. Recipients must provide a minimum 50% cost share, though this requirement may be reduced if it would impose extreme financial hardship or if the dam presents substantial safety risks. Federal funding and other state grants can fulfill the cost-share obligation.

    The program maintains existing restrictions on fund usage, prohibiting projects that would raise dams, expand reservoir capacity, or increase water impoundment. Before implementing this change, the Department of Water Resources must develop new program guidelines and solicitation documents for the expanded scope of eligible projects.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/17/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Steve BennettD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Jeff GonzalezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 3 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 1
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Steve BennettD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jeff GonzalezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member