BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Adopt Recommended Positions on Federal Legislation: H.R. 7073 (Garamendi) Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act; S. 3811 (Feinstein) Restoration of Essential Conveyance Act; and Other Legislation That May Require Urgent Consideration for a Position by the Board.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Adopt a position of "Support" on H.R. 7073 (Garamendi) - Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act; and
B. Adopt a position of "Support" on S. 3811 (Feinstein) - Restoration of Essential Conveyance Act.
Body
SUMMARY:
A. H.R. 7073 (Garamendi) - Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act
Recommendation: Support
Priority Recommendation: 2
This bill would make special districts eligible for future federal assistance that Congress provides in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under two previously-passed bills, the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (H.R. 6201) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748), special districts were specifically excluded from receiving direct federal assistance for which states and local governments were eligible. This bill would make special districts eligible for any future federal assistance related to COVID-19 that is provided to state, county, and local governments.
Status:
The bill was introduced in the House on June 1, 2020, and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, in addition to the Committee on Financial Services. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) are original cosponsors.
Importance to Valley Water:
This bill would make special districts, such as Valley Water, eligible for any future federal assistance related to COVID-19. While Valley Water has had to make tough financial decisions in light of the pandemic, including delaying non-essential but nonetheless important projects and programs to future years, Valley Water has been in a better financial position than some other jurisdi...
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