Water: waste discharge.

Senator Allen's water quality legislation expands California's regulatory framework to protect previously unregulated state waters while strengthening permit requirements and enforcement mechanisms. The bill establishes oversight of "nexus waters" - defined as non-navigable state waters meeting specific criteria - and requires these waters receive protections comparable to those under federal clean water laws.

The legislation modifies business and construction permit processes, requiring regulated industries to demonstrate enrollment in either the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System or Waste Discharge Requirements programs. Cities and counties must verify permit compliance before issuing or renewing business licenses or construction permits for projects disturbing more than one acre.

To ensure consistent enforcement, the bill authorizes citizen lawsuits against violations affecting nexus waters, creates an annual inflation adjustment for civil penalties, and directs penalty funds to state water quality programs. The State Water Resources Control Board gains expanded authority to adopt water quality control plans for all state waters, while regional boards must include nexus waters in Clean Water Act processes like establishing discharge limits and monitoring requirements.

The measure maintains existing water quality standards for nexus waters unless stricter requirements are adopted, prohibits waivers of discharge requirements, and requires waste discharge permits to meet federal standards in place before May 2023. Local governments face new administrative duties but retain authority to assess fees covering implementation costs.