Salton Sea restoration.

(1) Existing law establishes the Salton Sea Restoration Council as a state agency in the Natural Resources Agency to oversee the restoration of the Salton Sea. This bill would eliminate the council, and, instead, require the Salton Sea Authority, as defined, to lead Salton Sea restoration efforts, including the development of a restoration plan in coordination with the Natural Resources Agency, and supervision of the activities of a technical advisory group formed pursuant to the bill. By imposing duties on a local joint powers authority, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.