(a) The state board may, on behalf of itself or a regional board, accept donations of moneys from a permittee for the purpose of updating a water quality control plan as consistent with the designated use of the funds.
(b) The state board may, on behalf of itself or a regional board, accept moneys from donations, grants, or contributions, or through contractual agreements, from public agencies for the purpose of planning, permitting, or providing technical support for projects of public benefit within the state board’s or regional board’s jurisdiction.
(c) All funds received pursuant to this section shall be deposited, and separately accounted for, in the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account, for expenditure in accordance with the terms of the donation, grant, contribution, or contractual agreement.
(d) For the purposes of this section, “projects of public benefit” include, but are not limited to, projects directly related to climate change adaptation, ecosystem protection and restoration, water recycling, stormwater capture, water conservation, emergency preparedness, flood management, ambient water quality monitoring, research, and environmental justice.
(e) Before accepting any moneys pursuant to this section, the state board shall provide notice of its intent to accept those moneys and provide a description of the associated public benefit of those moneys in accordance with the requirements governing the notice of a meeting, as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 11125 of the Government Code.
(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 833, Sec. 1. (AB 2501) Effective January 1, 2025.)