SB 350 Would Create Statewide Low‑Income Water Rate Assistance Program; Committee Moves Bill to EU&C

Sen. Maria Elena Durazo presented SB 350 to create a statewide low‑income water rate assistance (LIRA) program and to enable automatic enrollment of eligible households using data sources similar to California’s low‑income energy programs.

Supporters including Clean Water Action, the Community Water Center and environmental organizations described rising water costs and household water debt as pressing problems. Jennifer Clary (Clean Water Action) said water debt rose during COVID and remains above pre‑pandemic levels; sponsor witnesses said local LIRA programs enroll a small share of eligible households (commonly 8–15%), while energy assistance programs enroll roughly 80% of eligible households when data sources are used for automated enrollment.

Utility associations (ACWA, CMUA and several local agencies) said they were not philosophically opposed but urged amendments and cautioned that no funding source is identified in the bill. ACWA told the committee it supports the overall idea but urged a robust public process for implementation, upfront funding to avoid forcing small water agencies to carry large reimbursement balances, exclusion of wastewater from early phases (because billing structures differ), and an administrative framework that provides reasonable off‑ramps for agencies making good‑faith compliance efforts. The author accepted committee amendments and members signaled the bill will continue to be negotiated as it moves to the Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee.