Santa Clara Valley Water District.

(1) The Santa Clara Valley Water District Act establishes the Santa Clara Valley Water District and specifies its powers and purposes relating to water supply and flood management. The act requires the board of the district, until January 1, 2010, to consist of 2 directors who are appointed and 5 directors who are elected in accordance with specified procedures. The act requires the board of directors, on and after January 1, 2010, to consist of 5 directors who are elected in accordance with specified procedures. This bill would repeal certain provisions of the act relating to the board of the district. The bill would revise the composition of the board of the district by requiring the board to transition to an all-elected board that, on and after noon on December 3, 2010, consists of 7 directors who are elected pursuant to specified requirements. The board also would be required to adopt a resolution establishing the boundaries of the 7 electoral districts. By imposing requirements on the district, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The act requires the board of the district, on or before June 15 of each year, to meet at the time and place designated by published notice, at which meeting any member of the public may appear to be heard regarding any item in the proposed budget. This bill would require the board to review its financial reserves and its reserve management policy at this meeting. The bill would require the directors who serve on the board to comply with various requirements relating to the activities of persons who lobby the district, contract bidding, severance pay, travel reimbursement, and other matters. The bill would require the district to make available to the public specified reports prepared by district staff for the board. These requirements on the district would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) The act authorizes the district to impose special taxes at minimum rates according to land use category and size. The act authorizes the district to provide an exemption from these taxes for residential parcels owned and occupied by one or more taxpayers who are at least 65 years of age and meet a specified total household income limit. This bill would extend the exemption to an otherwise qualified taxpayer who qualifies as totally disabled under the federal Social Security Act. (4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.