Congressman David Valadao has authored H.R. 5781 which was introduced on the House Floor last night (December 2, 2014). A first reading of the bill reveals that it does little to "solve water shortages" resulting from the drought, but it does alter how environmental protection statutes are implemented and enforced for the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary.
It also contains language to expedite Federal review of storage projects (within a 30 day window) which could have a negative impact on the availability of flows into the Delta and that could be used according to a recent UC Davis report to provide additional water for Governor Brown's proposed twin Delta tunnels. It also allows for expedited water transfers which puts the health of our Northern California rivers and groundwater supplies at stake, especially during times of extended drought.