ACWA Leading Coalition Seeking Amendments on LIRA Bill by ACWA Staff Mar 12, 2025 Water News SACRAMENTO —ACWA is urging member agencies to join an association-led coalition to oppose a bill that proposes a low-income rate assistance (LIRA) program unless it is appropriately amended to be more workable and efficient. ACWA submitted a letter on March 12 outlining how SB 350 (Durazo, D-Los Angeles), as currently drafted, could be improved to better serve communities and reduce unreasonable burdens on public water agencies. More information about the bill and on joining the coalition is available in the Alert online. Member login is required. If enacted into law, the bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board to create a water rate assistance program to provide financial assistance for both drinking water and wastewater services to low-income residential ratepayers. The bill has been double-referred to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. It is currently scheduled to be heard on March 19 by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. ACWA believes a water and wastewater low-income rate assistance program – if designed in a reasonable, efficient and effective manner – is an appropriate approach. However, SB 350 could be improved to maximize the funding spent on direct assistance to ratepayers, enhance public process and reduce unreasonable burdens on water providers. Also, any LIRA legislation must recognize and allow to continue local LIRA programs already operating through a number of ACWA member agencies.
