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Sen. Laird seeks expanded procurement tools for Pajaro River levee repairs
Summary
Sen. Laird presented SB 1055 to authorize four additional construction procurement methods for Pajaro River levee repairs, aiming to reduce costs and speed completion after flood damage forced mass evacuations; the bill had technical assistance from the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency and was sent out on a committee roll call for further action.
Sen. Laird introduced SB 1055, saying the Pajaro River levee — which runs between Santa Cruz and Monterey — suffered breaches during recent atmospheric rivers and led to the evacuation of more than 3,000 people. "What this bill does is authorize the usage of 4 additional construction procurement methods allowing the agency that's constructing this project to deliver levy repairs and flood control improvements more efficiently," Laird said.
Laird said the state previously authorized a buyout of the local share and that a new district now manages the levee on both sides. He presented the bill as a cost‑saving measure: "These procurement methods have shown to reduce project costs, expedite completion, ensure better quality control," he said. Jack Gualco of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency was listed as a technical resource for the presentation.
The chair asked whether there were witnesses in support or opposition; The Nature Conservancy registered support. Laird respectfully asked for an I vote. The committee recorded a motion and second; the bill was sent out on a roll call for committee action.
