LONG BEACH, CA--(Marketwire - December 4, 2008) - 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.