South Coast Water District.

Existing law, the County Water District Law, provides for the formation and operation of county water districts, and specifies the powers and purposes of those districts. Existing law authorizes a district to make and perform any agreement with the state or any agency thereof, any public or private corporation of any kind, and any person for the joint construction, acquisition, disposition, or operation of any property or works of a kind that may be constructed, acquired, disposed of, or operated by the district. Existing law authorizes a governmental agency to solicit proposals and enter into agreements with private entities for the design, construction, or reconstruction of, and to lease to private entities, specified types of fee-producing infrastructure projects. Existing law prohibits a state agency or specified governmental agencies from using this authorization to design, construct, finance, or operate a state project, as specified. This bill would specifically authorize the South Coast Water District to contract for the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project until January 1, 2025. The bill would authorize the district to use the method described above relating to agreements with private entities for this project. The bill would also require the district to utilize a skilled and trained workforce for this project in accordance with existing procedures. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the South Coast Water District.