FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
SUBJECT:
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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the months of September and October 2021.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC San) legislative affairs program includes advocating OC San’s legislative interests; sponsoring legislation (where appropriate); and seeking Local, State, and Federal funding for projects and programs. Staff will provide an update on recent legislative and grant activities.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
PROBLEM
Without a strong advocacy program, elected officials may not be aware of OC San’s mission, programs, and projects and how they could be impacted by proposed legislation.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Continue to work with Local, State, and Federal officials to advocate OC San’s legislative interests. Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit OC San, the wastewater industry, and the community as a whole. To assist in our relationship building activities, we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings, and trips to Washington D.C. and Sacramento.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If we do not work with Local, State, and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects OC San and the wastewater industry as a whole. Additionally, a lack of engagement may result in missed funding opportunities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The United States Environmental Protection Agency issued the PFAS Strategic Roadmap and it is a multi-year agenda to regulate per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and creates a roadmap to address other “forever” chemicals. The plan identifies a number of priorities and actions that will directly or indirectly impact wastewater agencies. The legislative team will continue to monitor this issue and keep the Board of Directors apprised of any significant changes as they relate to PFAS and contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater.
After many years of hard work, wipes will finally be properly labeled. Recently, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 818 by Assemblymember Richard Bloom into law. This bill requires all packaging for diaper wipes, cleaning wipes, and cosmetic wipes to clearly display “Do Not Flush” warnings by July 2022.
This bill is the result of a three-year effort between representatives from wastewater industries including OC San, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, product stewardship groups, and wipes manufacturers.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Federal Update - ENS Resources
• Federal Legislative Matrix - ENS Resources
• State Update - Townsend Public Affairs
• State Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs
• Grant Matrix
• Presentations