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    AB-362
    Natural Resources & Water

    Water policy: California tribal communities.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes tribal water uses as protected beneficial uses in California water quality regulations.
    • Requires state water boards to consult with tribal communities on water quality standards by 2027.
    • Mandates incorporation of tribal ecological knowledge into water management programs.
    • Requires water quality projects to assess and report impacts on tribal water uses.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Ramos's water policy legislation establishes comprehensive protections for tribal water uses within California's water quality management framework. The bill requires state and regional water boards to incorporate tribal water uses as protected beneficial uses and mandates consultation with tribal communities on water quality standards and monitoring programs.

    The legislation adds tribal ecological knowledge and co-management provisions to existing water quality programs. State agencies must assess impacts on tribal water uses in environmental reviews and regulatory decisions. By January 2027, the State Water Resources Control Board must propose water quality standards protecting tribal uses in the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed, with tribal consultation required during development.

    Regional water boards must define tribal beneficial uses in their water quality control plans during the next review cycle after January 2026. The bill exempts tribal water use provisions from California Environmental Quality Act requirements while maintaining voluntary participation by tribal communities. The California Water Quality Monitoring Council will expand to include tribal representatives by December 2026, with biennial implementation reports required thereafter.

    The measure amends multiple Water Code sections to recognize tribal communities' historical connections to water resources and incorporate their input in policy decisions. New requirements direct agencies to evaluate both quantitative and qualitative impacts on tribal water uses when reviewing projects or programs. The legislation preserves tribal sovereignty by specifying that participation in water protection efforts does not subject tribes to additional state jurisdiction beyond federal authorizations.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    AB-2614
    Water policy: California tribal communities.
    February 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 1 of 1 items
    Page 1 of 1

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    James Ramos
    James RamosD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Laura Richardson
    Laura RichardsonD
    California State Senator
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/30/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 29, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5027PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes tribal water uses as protected beneficial uses in California water quality regulations.
    • Requires state water boards to consult with tribal communities on water quality standards by 2027.
    • Mandates incorporation of tribal ecological knowledge into water management programs.
    • Requires water quality projects to assess and report impacts on tribal water uses.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    James Ramos
    James RamosD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Laura Richardson
    Laura RichardsonD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    Assembly Member Ramos's water policy legislation establishes comprehensive protections for tribal water uses within California's water quality management framework. The bill requires state and regional water boards to incorporate tribal water uses as protected beneficial uses and mandates consultation with tribal communities on water quality standards and monitoring programs.

    The legislation adds tribal ecological knowledge and co-management provisions to existing water quality programs. State agencies must assess impacts on tribal water uses in environmental reviews and regulatory decisions. By January 2027, the State Water Resources Control Board must propose water quality standards protecting tribal uses in the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed, with tribal consultation required during development.

    Regional water boards must define tribal beneficial uses in their water quality control plans during the next review cycle after January 2026. The bill exempts tribal water use provisions from California Environmental Quality Act requirements while maintaining voluntary participation by tribal communities. The California Water Quality Monitoring Council will expand to include tribal representatives by December 2026, with biennial implementation reports required thereafter.

    The measure amends multiple Water Code sections to recognize tribal communities' historical connections to water resources and incorporate their input in policy decisions. New requirements direct agencies to evaluate both quantitative and qualitative impacts on tribal water uses when reviewing projects or programs. The legislation preserves tribal sovereignty by specifying that participation in water protection efforts does not subject tribes to additional state jurisdiction beyond federal authorizations.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/30/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 29, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5027PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    James RamosD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    AB-2614
    Water policy: California tribal communities.
    February 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 1 of 1 items
    Page 1 of 1