SPB 7154 - Water Management Districts

• Creates new requirements for water management district revenues and unexpended balances to be deposited into the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund, with expenditures limited to amounts authorized in the General Appropriations Act.

• Grants the Legislature authority to annually set the maximum amount of property tax revenue each water management district may raise; districts are prohibited from levying ad valorem taxes if the Legislature does not set the amount by July 1.

• Changes water management districts' fiscal year from October 1 - September 30 to July 1 - June 30, effective July 1, 2012, with transition period October 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012.

• Requires each district to post monthly financial statements and detailed budget information on its website and establish specific budget reporting formats by program area (water resource planning, land acquisition, regulation, outreach, management).

• Mandates districts submit 5-year capital improvements plans and 5-year water resource development work programs to the Governor and Legislature, with minimum 25 percent of property tax revenues held in reserve for the following fiscal year.