Water Innovation and Drought Resiliency Act of 2022.

Existing law declares that the protection of the public interest in the development of the water resources of the state is of vital concern to the people of the state and that the state shall determine in what way the water of the state, both surface and underground, should be developed for the greatest public benefit. Existing law creates the Office of Planning and Research to serve the Governor as staff for long-range planning and research and as a comprehensive state planning agency. This bill, the Water Innovation and Drought Resiliency Act of 2022, would create the Initiative to Advance Water Innovation and Drought Resiliency at the office for the furtherance of new technologies and other innovative approaches in the water sector. The bill would require the office, as part of the initiative, to take specified measures on or before December 31, 2024, to advance innovation in the water sector and ensure a drought-resilient economy. The bill would require the office to submit to the Legislature and post on its internet website a report detailing the actions taken as part of the initiative and recommendations for further actions. The bill would make findings and declarations regarding the need for water innovation. The bill would further create the Water Innovation and Drought Resiliency Fund, with all moneys available, upon appropriation, to the office, the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, or other state agencies for the furtherance of water innovation. The bill would require the Department of Finance to develop a standardized agreement to allow for voluntary donations to the fund by any person, educational institution, government entity, corporation or other business entity, or organization.