Water quality: state certification.

Assembly Member Soria's water quality certification measure establishes new public hearing requirements for hydroelectric facility licenses while maintaining the State Water Resources Control Board's authority over water quality standards. The legislation requires the Board to conduct public hearings for hydroelectric facility certifications when applicants request them within 14 days of receiving draft certifications, with hearings scheduled at least 21 days before final decisions.

The measure prohibits delegation of certification authority in cases where public hearings are requested, ensuring Board-level review of these applications. To support implementation, the legislation authorizes the Board to adjust its fee schedule for hydroelectric facility applicants to recover reasonable costs associated with conducting hearings and issuing certifications under these circumstances.

These provisions supplement existing federal and state requirements that mandate water quality certifications for activities affecting navigable waters, including the operation of hydroelectric facilities. The Board retains its ability to issue certifications before completing environmental reviews when delays could risk waiving its authority under federal law, while preserving the right to modify certifications based on subsequent environmental findings after public notice and comment periods.