LONG BEACH, CA -- 12/04/08 --
The Association of California Water Agencies
(ACWA) today presented its Legislative Leadership Award to Assembly Member
Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) for his efforts to secure legislation curbing
metal theft.
The award is presented to legislators for outstanding contributions in the
field of water development or for a viable contribution to the water
industry or major ACWA issues. The nominee must have given remarkable and
visible support or assistance to the legislative objectives of ACWA and its
member agencies.
The award, presented at ACWA's 2008 Fall Conference & Exhibition,
recognized Berryhill for authoring and winning passage of AB 844. The bill,
which was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and took effect this week,
established new requirements for metal recyclers aimed at reducing the
metal theft epidemic that has plagued water agencies, local governments and
businesses.
Despite the importance of the issue, the bill initially stalled in
committee on the Senate side. A series of negotiating sessions led to
compromise language, and Berryhill continued to fight for his bill through
three tough committees.
"Thanks to the tenacity of Assembly Member Berryhill, the bill was
ultimately signed, effectively ending a year-long impasse and putting real
solutions in place," ACWA President Glen Peterson said. "He deserves our
appreciation and our recognition for sticking with AB 844 and crafting a
law that addresses a key problem for water agencies and many other
businesses throughout California."
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are
responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more
information, visit www.acwa.com.
Contact:
Jennifer Persike
ACWA Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs
916/441-4545
916/296-3981 (cell)
Association of California Water Agencies
910 K Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, California 95814-3512
916/441-4545
FAX 916/441-7893
http://www.acwa.com
