Water: waste discharge.
- Expands state water quality protections to include non-navigable waters under the same standards as navigable waters.
- Requires state and regional water boards to monitor and regulate all water bodies through federal Clean Water Act processes.
- Establishes penalties up to $75,000 per day for violations of water quality requirements.
- Mandates annual inflation adjustments to civil penalties starting January 2026.
Senator Allen's water quality legislation extends California's regulatory authority to protect "nexus waters" - state waters not currently classified as navigable under federal law. The bill requires these waters to meet the same stringent standards as navigable waters under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The State Water Resources Control Board and regional boards must incorporate nexus waters into all Clean Water Act processes, including water quality control plans, discharge monitoring, and total maximum daily load requirements. Any existing water quality standards for these waters as of May 2023 remain in effect. The boards cannot waive waste discharge requirements for nexus waters.
The legislation establishes new enforcement mechanisms, authorizing the Attorney General, state and regional boards, and local prosecutors to pursue violations. Civil penalties of up to $75,000 per day may be imposed. Starting in 2026, penalty amounts will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Collected penalties will fund cleanup and abatement of water pollution through the Waste Discharge Permit Fund.
The bill excludes certain waters from nexus classification, including groundwater, artificial irrigation systems, and water features created incidentally during construction. For wetlands designated as nexus waters, discharge requirements must align with existing state policies on dredged or fill material disposal.
 Benjamin AllenD Senator | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Ash KalraD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lena GonzalezD Senator | Bill Author | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 | PASS |
- Expands state water quality protections to include non-navigable waters under the same standards as navigable waters.
- Requires state and regional water boards to monitor and regulate all water bodies through federal Clean Water Act processes.
- Establishes penalties up to $75,000 per day for violations of water quality requirements.
- Mandates annual inflation adjustments to civil penalties starting January 2026.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Senator Allen's water quality legislation extends California's regulatory authority to protect "nexus waters" - state waters not currently classified as navigable under federal law. The bill requires these waters to meet the same stringent standards as navigable waters under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The State Water Resources Control Board and regional boards must incorporate nexus waters into all Clean Water Act processes, including water quality control plans, discharge monitoring, and total maximum daily load requirements. Any existing water quality standards for these waters as of May 2023 remain in effect. The boards cannot waive waste discharge requirements for nexus waters.
The legislation establishes new enforcement mechanisms, authorizing the Attorney General, state and regional boards, and local prosecutors to pursue violations. Civil penalties of up to $75,000 per day may be imposed. Starting in 2026, penalty amounts will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Collected penalties will fund cleanup and abatement of water pollution through the Waste Discharge Permit Fund.
The bill excludes certain waters from nexus classification, including groundwater, artificial irrigation systems, and water features created incidentally during construction. For wetlands designated as nexus waters, discharge requirements must align with existing state policies on dredged or fill material disposal.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 | PASS |
Benjamin AllenD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Ash KalraD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lena GonzalezD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |