A state lawmaker has unveiled legislation designed to speed up the construction effort that will bring much-needed flood protection improvements to the Pajaro Valley. In the name of increased efficiency, California Sen. John Laird has introduced Senate Bill 1055, meant to expand the suite of contracting tools available to the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency. The local agency has been spearheading the ongoing overhaul of the Pajaro River levee system in South Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County alongside state and federal partners. … The bill would authorize the flood management agency to tap a number of additional contracting methods to maximize flexibility in order to accelerate construction timelines and reduce costs.