SECTIONS 10795-10795.20

10795.  This part shall be known and may be cited as the LocalGroundwater Management Assistance Act of 2000.10795.2.  There is hereby created the Local Groundwater AssistanceFund which shall be administered by the department.10795.4.  Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the money in thefund may be used by the department to assist local public agencies byawarding grants to those agencies to conduct groundwater studies orto carry out groundwater monitoring and management activities inaccordance with Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750) or otherauthority pursuant to which local public agencies manage groundwaterresources, or both, including the development of groundwatermanagement plans, as provided for in subdivision (a) of Section10753.7.10795.6.  The department, in making grants pursuant to this part,shall do both of the following: (a) Award grants based on the recommendations submitted by theTechnical Advisory Panel. The panel shall give priority to a localpublic agency that has adopted a groundwater management plan andsubmitted an application that demonstrates collaboration by thatlocal public agency with other local public agencies with regard tothe management of the affected groundwater basin. (b) Ensure that the money in the fund is allocated in ageographically balanced manner among the regions of the state thatare capable of, and interested in, implementing groundwatermanagement programs.10795.8.  The department may enter into contracts and may adoptregulations subject to the advice and review of the TechnicalAdvisory Panel, to carry out this part. Any grant contract enteredinto pursuant to this part may include provisions that the departmentdetermines are necessary.10795.10.  An application for a grant under this part shall be madeto the department in the form and with the supporting materialsprescribed by the department.10795.12.  (a) A Technical Advisory Panel shall review applicationsfor grants based on criteria developed by the panel. (b) The Technical Advisory Panel shall review applications andindicate whether, in its opinion, an application should be givenpriority pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10795.6, andmay place conditions on its recommendation for the funding of aspecific project. These conditions may include requirements foradditional clarification or further explanation of certain aspects ofthe project.10795.14.  (a) The Technical Advisory Panel shall be comprised ofindividuals appointed by the Secretary of the Resources Agency. (b) (1) Panelists shall have background experience, or generalknowledge, in the area of groundwater resources. (2) Panelists shall include all of the following: (A) At least three individuals who currently serve on the board ofdirectors of a local public agency that has adopted a groundwatermanagement plan. (B) A licensed civil engineer. (C) A licensed geologist. (D) A licensed hydrogeologist. (E) At least one individual representing each of the hydrologicstudy areas shown in Figure 3 of the department's Bulletin 118-80,entitled "Ground Water Basins in California: A Report to theLegislature in Response to Water Code Section 12924." (c) The number of individuals serving on the Technical AdvisoryPanel shall be determined by the Secretary of the Resources Agency.10795.16.  (a) If a member of the Technical Advisory Panel, or amember of his or her immediate family, is employed by a grantapplicant , the employer of a grant applicant, or a consultant orindependent contractor employed by a grant applicant, the panelmember shall make that disclosure to the other members of the paneland shall not participate in the review of the grant application ofthat applicant. (b) The Technical Advisory Panel shall operate on principles ofcollaboration. Panelists shall be appointed who are committed toworking together with other interests for the long-term benefit ofCalifornia groundwater resources and the people who rely on thoseresources. (c) Panelists shall be residents of the state and have an interestin the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the state'sgroundwater resources. (d) Panelists shall not be employees of any state or federalagency.10795.19.  A local public agency receiving a grant under this partshall submit to the department copies of all data collected pursuantto the grant.10795.20.  Federal funds may be used for the purposes of this part.