SB 45 Summary

• Authorizes issuance of $5,510,000,000 in state general obligation bonds to fund wildfire prevention, safe drinking water, drought preparation, and flood protection programs, subject to voter approval at the November 3, 2020 general election.

• Allocates bond proceeds across six program areas: $2,200,000,000 for wildfire prevention and community resilience; $1,470,000,000 for safe drinking water and water supply protection; $620,000,000 for fish and wildlife protection; $190,000,000 for agricultural land protection; $970,000,000 for coastal protection; and $60,000,000 for workforce development and education.

• Requires at least 35 percent of funds to benefit disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations, with 15 percent specifically allocated to severely disadvantaged communities or extremely low-income households.

• Establishes the Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood Protection Finance Committee to oversee bond issuance and creates the corresponding fund to receive and allocate bond proceeds according to statutory allocations.

• Takes effect immediately upon voter approval as an urgency measure to enable rapid implementation of climate adaptation and disaster prevention projects.