California Safe Drinking Water Act: emergency regulations.
- Expands state authority to maintain strict drinking water standards even if federal rules are weakened.
- Requires California to set emergency standards for PFAS chemicals in drinking water by December 2026.
- Allows stricter monitoring requirements while maintaining alignment with federal contaminant levels.
- Mandates immediate implementation of emergency water regulations without administrative review.
Assembly Member Gabriel's legislation expands California's authority to maintain stringent drinking water standards through emergency regulations, allowing the State Water Resources Control Board to preserve federal requirements that were in effect as of January 19, 2025, even if those standards are later weakened at the federal level.
The bill establishes parameters for emergency drinking water regulations, prohibiting standards less stringent than January 2025 federal requirements while capping maximum contaminant levels and compliance dates at federal thresholds. While monitoring requirements may exceed federal baselines, they must align with existing state regulations. Upon adopting emergency rules, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment must begin establishing public health goals for any included contaminants that lack them, after which the State Board initiates proceedings for permanent drinking water standards.
By December 31, 2026, the State Board must adopt emergency regulations and begin developing primary drinking water standards for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) referenced in federal regulations, with compliance timelines matching federal requirements. The bill classifies these emergency regulations as necessary for immediate public health preservation, exempting them from certain administrative review requirements until replaced by permanent standards.
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Jesse GabrielD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | 1 | 15 | PASS |
- Expands state authority to maintain strict drinking water standards even if federal rules are weakened.
- Requires California to set emergency standards for PFAS chemicals in drinking water by December 2026.
- Allows stricter monitoring requirements while maintaining alignment with federal contaminant levels.
- Mandates immediate implementation of emergency water regulations without administrative review.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Gabriel's legislation expands California's authority to maintain stringent drinking water standards through emergency regulations, allowing the State Water Resources Control Board to preserve federal requirements that were in effect as of January 19, 2025, even if those standards are later weakened at the federal level.
The bill establishes parameters for emergency drinking water regulations, prohibiting standards less stringent than January 2025 federal requirements while capping maximum contaminant levels and compliance dates at federal thresholds. While monitoring requirements may exceed federal baselines, they must align with existing state regulations. Upon adopting emergency rules, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment must begin establishing public health goals for any included contaminants that lack them, after which the State Board initiates proceedings for permanent drinking water standards.
By December 31, 2026, the State Board must adopt emergency regulations and begin developing primary drinking water standards for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) referenced in federal regulations, with compliance timelines matching federal requirements. The bill classifies these emergency regulations as necessary for immediate public health preservation, exempting them from certain administrative review requirements until replaced by permanent standards.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | 1 | 15 | PASS |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Jesse GabrielD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |