(a) In selecting among proposed projects in a watershed, the scope of the adopted integrated regional water management plan may be considered by the administering state agency, with priority going to projects in plans that cover a greater portion of the watershed. If a plan covers substantially all of the watershed, the plan’s project priorities shall be given deference if the project and plan otherwise meet the requirements of this division and the Integrated Regional Water Management Planning Act (Part 2.2 (commencing with Section 10530) of Division 6).

(b) A local agency that does not prepare, adopt, and submit its groundwater plan in accordance with groundwater planning requirements established under Division 6 (commencing with Section 10000) is ineligible to apply for funds made available pursuant to this chapter until the plan is prepared and submitted in accordance with the requirements of that part. The groundwater management plan requirement shall not apply to a water replenishment district formed pursuant to Division 18 (commencing with Section 60000) or to a local agency that serves or has authority to manage an adjudicated groundwater basin.

(c) For the purposes of awarding funding under this chapter, a cost share from nonstate sources of not less than 50 percent of the total costs of the project shall be required. The cost-sharing requirement may be waived or reduced for projects that directly benefit a disadvantaged community or an economically distressed area.

(d) Not less than 10 percent of the funds authorized by this chapter shall be allocated to projects that directly benefit disadvantaged communities.

(e) For the purposes of awarding funding under this chapter, the applicant shall demonstrate that the integrated regional water management plan the applicant’s project implements contributes to addressing the risks in the region to water supply and water infrastructure arising from climate change.

(f) Projects that achieve multiple benefits shall receive special consideration.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 188, Sec. 8. (AB 1471) Approved in Proposition 1 at the November 4, 2014, election.)