Assemblyman Scott Wilk

The Assembly bill requiring the Santa Clarita Sanitation District to hold its board meetings within the boundaries of the district passed unanimously out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, officials said Friday.

AB 951 was authored by Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.

“Clearing the Appropriations Committee is a big hurdle in the legislative process”, Wilk said. “It’s part of my overall agenda to make government more transparent and accountable.”

AB 951 is a product that has stemmed from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Board’s decision to require the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District to reduce the level of chloride it discharges into the Santa Clara River, according to a news release.

The SCVSD chose to reduce the chloride level by using Deep Well Injection, or DWI and then storing brine underground below the communities of Westridge and Stevenson Ranch, according to a news release. However, the communities were stunned to learn of this plan and the public outrage has made the SCVSD, at least temporarily, pull back from their proposed location.

Currently the SCVSD holds their meetings in the city of Whittier, 50 miles from the community they have jurisdiction over, according to a news release. Naturally, this discourages public testimony from ratepayers and hinders their ability from staying informed on issues that directly affect their home values and water rates.

As a result, AB 951 would require the SCVSD to hold their board meetings within the boundaries of the district, according to a news release.

“Had this measure already been law, residents and ratepayers would have had constructive knowledge of the proposal and the ability to comment on its efficacy, saving both the residents and SCVSD valuable time and money,” Wilk said. “This bill will provide greater transparency and public oversight over the actions of the SCVSD Board of Directors.”

The 38th Assembly District encompasses Simi Valley, the northwestern section of the San Fernando Valley and most of the Santa Clarita Valley.