BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Title
Adopt Recommended Positions on Federal Legislation: S. 91 (Sinema) / H.R. 535 (Garamendi) Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act of 2021; H.R. 610 (Speier) San Francisco Bay Restoration 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 and Amend" on S. 91 (Sinema) / H.R. 535 (Garamendi) - Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act of 2021; and
B. Adopt a position of "Support" on H.R. 610 (Speier) - San Francisco Bay Restoration Act.
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SUMMARY:
A. S. 91 (Sinema) / H.R. 535 (Garamendi) - Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act of 2021
Recommendation: Support and Amend
Priority Recommendation: 2
This bill would make special districts eligible for future federal assistance that Congress provides in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, special districts are ineligible for receiving assistance from the Coronavirus Relief Fund that was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020. This bill would make special districts eligible for any federal coronavirus funding in excess of what is provided to states, counties, and local governments.
Status:
S. 91 was introduced in the Senate on January 28, 2021, and was referred to the Committee on Finance. Senator Dianne Feinstein is an original cosponsor. H.R. 535 was introduced in the House on January 28, 2021, and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, in addition to the Committee on Financial Services. Representatives Anna Eshoo (CA-18) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) 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. During the pandemic, Valley Water has had to make tough financial decisions, including delaying non-essential but nonetheless importan...
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