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Panel advances Ventura county pilot requiring water districts in high‑risk zones to have backup power and hardened facilities
Summary
AB 367, authored to address hydrant and pumping failures observed during recent Ventura County wildfires, passed the committee as amended to appropriations despite opposition from water agencies who said costs and operational unpredictability require changes.
The Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee passed AB 367 as amended to the Appropriations Committee after debate between the author, Ventura County representatives and statewide water‑agency trade groups.
Bill summary and purpose Assemblymember Steve Bennett presented AB 367 as a county‑specific pilot requiring water suppliers in high and very high fire risk areas to maintain backup generation capacity for facilities in those risk zones, keep tanks topped once a red‑flag warning is issued, and harden at‑risk facilities against fire damage. Bennett said the measure responds to recurring failures in Ventura County during major wildfires — including instances when tanks were low because they were filled on a nighttime schedule and backup generators were not available or hardened.
Why it matters Proponents said functioning water supply and hydrants are a basic public safety requirement during fires and that failures put lives and property at risk. Bennett cited the Thomas Fire and later wildfires in Ventura County as motivation for urgent action.
Opposition and concerns The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) testified in opposition unless amended, saying the bill would impose significant, potentially multi‑million‑dollar costs on water suppliers with numerous facilities, and that without new funding the costs would fall to ratepayers. ACWA also argued the bill’s operational timing requirements — such as a requirement to provide power within 30 minutes of a power shutoff — do not reflect the unpredictable realities of emergency response and could penalize districts for circumstances beyond their control.
Other local water providers and the city of Thousand Oaks likewise asked for amendments to address liability, funding and operational inflexibility.
Roll call and outcome After questions and comments, the committee voted to pass AB 367 as amended to Appropriations. The clerk recorded the vote; the chair announced the bill had enough votes to “fill out” the committee and left the roll open for absent members.
Next steps AB 367 will go to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal analysis and potential budget considerations. The author said he is prepared to work with water agencies on funding and liability issues as the bill proceeds.
Ending note Committee members who represent fire‑prone areas strongly supported the measure as a public‑safety priority; water agencies emphasized the need to identify funding sources and operational exceptions before any statewide expansion.
