Existing law, the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, authorizes 2 or more public agencies, if authorized by their governing bodies, by agreement to jointly exercise any power common to the contracting parties. Existing law authorizes 2 or more local public entities, or a mutual water company, as defined, and a public agency, to provide insurance, as specified, by a joint powers agreement. Existing law authorizes a mutual water company and a public agency to enter into a joint powers agreement for the purposes of risk pooling, as specified.

Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including water corporations.

This bill would authorize a water corporation, as defined, a mutual water company, and one or more public agencies to provide insurance, as specified, by a joint powers agreement. The bill would also authorize a water corporation, a mutual water company, and one or more public agencies to enter into a joint powers agreement for the purposes of risk pooling, as specified. The bill would prohibit the Public Utilities Commission from allowing a water corporation to join a joint powers agency for insurance coverage if there are no greater benefits to the customers of the water corporation than are provided by the water corporation’s current insurance policy. The bill would require the joint powers agency to be 100% reinsured with no joint and several liability, no assessments, and no financial liability attributable to the participating members, as provided. If a water corporation enters into a joint powers agreement for the purposes of risk pooling, the bill would require the water corporation to submit an annual information filing to the Public Utilities Commission and the joint powers agency, as specified.