Natural Resources & Water

Image for Public resources trailer bill.

Public resources trailer bill.

Authorizes construction of a Holocaust memorial at Exposition Park through a nonprofit partnership program. Increases state park highway funding from $3.4 million to $12 million annually for maintenance and improvements. Expands loan and grant programs to help small businesses upgrade or remove underground storage tanks by 2025. Requires CAL-FIRE to hire more permanent firefighters while maintaining seasonal hiring flexibility.

Public resources trailer bill.

Image for Public resources trailer bill.

Authorizes construction of a Holocaust memorial at Exposition Park through a nonprofit partnership program. Increases state park highway funding from $3.4 million to $12 million annually for maintenance and improvements. Expands loan and grant programs to help small businesses upgrade or remove underground storage tanks by 2025. Requires CAL-FIRE to hire more permanent firefighters while maintaining seasonal hiring flexibility.

Image for Water infrastructure: dams and reservoirs: water release: false pretenses.

Water infrastructure: dams and reservoirs: water release: false pretenses.

Prohibits federal reservoirs in California from releasing water under fraudulent or false purposes. Authorizes the State Water Board and Attorney General to seek injunctive relief against violations. Defines false pretenses as knowingly misrepresenting the purpose and intended use of released water.

Water infrastructure: dams and reservoirs: water release: false pretenses.

Image for Water infrastructure: dams and reservoirs: water release: false pretenses.

Prohibits federal reservoirs in California from releasing water under fraudulent or false purposes. Authorizes the State Water Board and Attorney General to seek injunctive relief against violations. Defines false pretenses as knowingly misrepresenting the purpose and intended use of released water.

Image for Forestry: timber operations: maintenance of timberlands for fuels reduction.

Forestry: timber operations: maintenance of timberlands for fuels reduction.

Authorizes 35 annual wildfire fuel reduction projects on public timberlands to streamline environmental reviews. Limits eligible projects to noncommercial operations under 1,500 acres that use public funding. Expires automatically on January 1, 2031 unless renewed by the legislature.

Forestry: timber operations: maintenance of timberlands for fuels reduction.

Image for Forestry: timber operations: maintenance of timberlands for fuels reduction.

Authorizes 35 annual wildfire fuel reduction projects on public timberlands to streamline environmental reviews. Limits eligible projects to noncommercial operations under 1,500 acres that use public funding. Expires automatically on January 1, 2031 unless renewed by the legislature.

Image for Hunting and sport fishing licenses: reduced fees.

Hunting and sport fishing licenses: reduced fees.

Establishes reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for California residents receiving public assistance starting 2027. Requires applicants to provide documentation proving eligibility and no Fish and Game Code violations. Mandates a program evaluation report to the Legislature by October 2029 to assess participation and costs. Expires automatically on January 1, 2032 unless renewed by future legislation.

Hunting and sport fishing licenses: reduced fees.

Image for Hunting and sport fishing licenses: reduced fees.

Establishes reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for California residents receiving public assistance starting 2027. Requires applicants to provide documentation proving eligibility and no Fish and Game Code violations. Mandates a program evaluation report to the Legislature by October 2029 to assess participation and costs. Expires automatically on January 1, 2032 unless renewed by future legislation.

Image for Habitat enhancement and restoration: floodplains.

Habitat enhancement and restoration: floodplains.

Allocates $21.5 million for floodplain conservation and habitat restoration in three California counties. Authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Board to acquire land and implement conservation projects. Targets specific environmental challenges including uncontrolled flooding and groundwater depletion. Requires legislative budget approval before funds can be distributed.

Habitat enhancement and restoration: floodplains.

Image for Habitat enhancement and restoration: floodplains.

Allocates $21.5 million for floodplain conservation and habitat restoration in three California counties. Authorizes the Wildlife Conservation Board to acquire land and implement conservation projects. Targets specific environmental challenges including uncontrolled flooding and groundwater depletion. Requires legislative budget approval before funds can be distributed.

Image for Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Requires the Department of Water Resources to update water supply forecasting models for climate change by 2027. Mandates formal documentation of reservoir water release decisions and operational procedures. Establishes annual public meetings to present water supply decisions in rotating California locations. Requires annual progress reports to the Legislature on forecasting model implementation through 2032.

Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Image for Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Requires the Department of Water Resources to update water supply forecasting models for climate change by 2027. Mandates formal documentation of reservoir water release decisions and operational procedures. Establishes annual public meetings to present water supply decisions in rotating California locations. Requires annual progress reports to the Legislature on forecasting model implementation through 2032.

Image for Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Creates a new groundwater sustainability agency to manage resources in Tulare County's Tule Subbasin. Establishes a five-member board with representatives from water districts, county, and agricultural interests. Authorizes the agency to collect fees, conduct studies, and enforce groundwater management regulations. Requires development of a sustainability plan to achieve long-term groundwater management goals.

Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Image for Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Creates a new groundwater sustainability agency to manage resources in Tulare County's Tule Subbasin. Establishes a five-member board with representatives from water districts, county, and agricultural interests. Authorizes the agency to collect fees, conduct studies, and enforce groundwater management regulations. Requires development of a sustainability plan to achieve long-term groundwater management goals.

Image for Groundwater adjudication.

Groundwater adjudication.

Streamlines groundwater rights cases by allowing courts to separately process claims for minor water users. Establishes automatic accuracy presumption for water users claiming less than 100 acre-feet per year. Requires groundwater agencies to provide technical reports on water usage for non-participating parties. Mandates electronic submission of water usage disclosures with updates required for material changes.

Groundwater adjudication.

Image for Groundwater adjudication.

Streamlines groundwater rights cases by allowing courts to separately process claims for minor water users. Establishes automatic accuracy presumption for water users claiming less than 100 acre-feet per year. Requires groundwater agencies to provide technical reports on water usage for non-participating parties. Mandates electronic submission of water usage disclosures with updates required for material changes.

Image for Water: waste discharge.

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.

Water: waste discharge.

Image for 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.

Image for The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets.

The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets.

Mandates a comprehensive update to the California Water Plan by 2028 to address climate change and water needs. Requires 9 million acre-feet of additional water capacity through conservation and storage by 2040. Expands the water planning advisory committee to include tribes and environmental justice representatives. Establishes new requirements for public workshops and detailed water supply studies.

The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets.

Image for The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets.

Mandates a comprehensive update to the California Water Plan by 2028 to address climate change and water needs. Requires 9 million acre-feet of additional water capacity through conservation and storage by 2040. Expands the water planning advisory committee to include tribes and environmental justice representatives. Establishes new requirements for public workshops and detailed water supply studies.

Image for Water rate assistance program.

Water rate assistance program.

Authorizes local water suppliers to create assistance programs for low-income households struggling with water bills. Allows water suppliers to fund assistance through voluntary customer contributions and existing resources. Requires water suppliers to report annually on their assistance programs starting January 2028. Targets aid to households earning below 200% of the federal poverty level or those at risk of bill arrears.

Water rate assistance program.

Image for Water rate assistance program.

Authorizes local water suppliers to create assistance programs for low-income households struggling with water bills. Allows water suppliers to fund assistance through voluntary customer contributions and existing resources. Requires water suppliers to report annually on their assistance programs starting January 2028. Targets aid to households earning below 200% of the federal poverty level or those at risk of bill arrears.

Image for State parks: real property: acquisitions and leases.

State parks: real property: acquisitions and leases.

Streamlines state park property acquisitions by allowing Parks and Recreation to bypass certain approvals until 2031. Increases the threshold for property transactions without director approval from $150,000 to $500,000. Requires public meetings and notifications for park property acquisitions over $5 million. Transfers property appraisal duties from General Services to Parks and Recreation with oversight provisions.

State parks: real property: acquisitions and leases.

Image for State parks: real property: acquisitions and leases.

Streamlines state park property acquisitions by allowing Parks and Recreation to bypass certain approvals until 2031. Increases the threshold for property transactions without director approval from $150,000 to $500,000. Requires public meetings and notifications for park property acquisitions over $5 million. Transfers property appraisal duties from General Services to Parks and Recreation with oversight provisions.

Image for Wildlife grants: Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement program.

Wildlife grants: Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement program.

Expands public access to private lands for wildlife recreation by increasing landowner compensation rates through 2031. Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide grants to nonprofits and others supporting the SHARE program. Mandates a comprehensive program evaluation report to the Legislature by October 2029. Increases landowner payments to $52 per acre or $87 per participant daily, with annual inflation adjustments.

Wildlife grants: Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement program.

Image for Wildlife grants: Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement program.

Expands public access to private lands for wildlife recreation by increasing landowner compensation rates through 2031. Requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide grants to nonprofits and others supporting the SHARE program. Mandates a comprehensive program evaluation report to the Legislature by October 2029. Increases landowner payments to $52 per acre or $87 per participant daily, with annual inflation adjustments.

Image for Department of Parks and Recreation: state parks: California State Library Parks Pass Program.

Department of Parks and Recreation: state parks: California State Library Parks Pass Program.

Authorizes state parks to provide free annual vehicle passes to the California State Library Parks Pass Program. Requires specific legislative funding approval before passes can be issued. Gives the Department of Parks and Recreation discretion over issuing the passes.

Department of Parks and Recreation: state parks: California State Library Parks Pass Program.

Image for Department of Parks and Recreation: state parks: California State Library Parks Pass Program.

Authorizes state parks to provide free annual vehicle passes to the California State Library Parks Pass Program. Requires specific legislative funding approval before passes can be issued. Gives the Department of Parks and Recreation discretion over issuing the passes.

Image for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater adjudication.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater adjudication.

Requires courts to align groundwater adjudication decisions with existing sustainability plans and pumping limits. Mandates consolidation of legal challenges to groundwater plans with ongoing basin adjudications. Establishes a 90-day deadline to legally challenge groundwater agency decisions. Requires courts to consider impacts on small farmers and disadvantaged communities in water rights decisions.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater adjudication.

Image for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater adjudication.

Requires courts to align groundwater adjudication decisions with existing sustainability plans and pumping limits. Mandates consolidation of legal challenges to groundwater plans with ongoing basin adjudications. Establishes a 90-day deadline to legally challenge groundwater agency decisions. Requires courts to consider impacts on small farmers and disadvantaged communities in water rights decisions.

Image for Protected species: authorized take: State Route 37 project.

Protected species: authorized take: State Route 37 project.

Authorizes limited take of protected species for the State Route 37 improvement project in Northern California. Requires comprehensive monitoring and adaptive management plans to minimize impacts on protected wildlife. Mandates public notification and a 30-day comment period before any protected species take is authorized. Requires permit fees and strict conservation measures to protect affected species during construction.

Protected species: authorized take: State Route 37 project.

Image for Protected species: authorized take: State Route 37 project.

Authorizes limited take of protected species for the State Route 37 improvement project in Northern California. Requires comprehensive monitoring and adaptive management plans to minimize impacts on protected wildlife. Mandates public notification and a 30-day comment period before any protected species take is authorized. Requires permit fees and strict conservation measures to protect affected species during construction.

Image for Public resources: conservation.

Public resources: conservation.

Makes technical changes to update obsolete references and clarify provisions in various water and public resources codes.

Public resources: conservation.

Image for Public resources: conservation.

Makes technical changes to update obsolete references and clarify provisions in various water and public resources codes.

Image for Water corporations: demand elasticity: rates and surcharges.

Water corporations: demand elasticity: rates and surcharges.

Requires water utilities to separate their revenue from water sales to encourage conservation efforts. Authorizes water companies to create rate stabilization funds for long-term price stability. Mandates that changes in water rates cannot exceed revenue levels approved by state regulators. Establishes criminal penalties for utilities that violate the new revenue requirements.

Water corporations: demand elasticity: rates and surcharges.

Image for Water corporations: demand elasticity: rates and surcharges.

Requires water utilities to separate their revenue from water sales to encourage conservation efforts. Authorizes water companies to create rate stabilization funds for long-term price stability. Mandates that changes in water rates cannot exceed revenue levels approved by state regulators. Establishes criminal penalties for utilities that violate the new revenue requirements.

Image for Water quality: state certification.

Water quality: state certification.

Requires public hearings for hydroelectric facility certifications when requested by applicants within 14 days. Mandates that public hearings must occur at least 21 days before certification decisions. Authorizes the State Water Board to charge fees covering the costs of required public hearings. Prohibits delegation of certification authority when public hearings are requested.

Water quality: state certification.

Image for Water quality: state certification.

Requires public hearings for hydroelectric facility certifications when requested by applicants within 14 days. Mandates that public hearings must occur at least 21 days before certification decisions. Authorizes the State Water Board to charge fees covering the costs of required public hearings. Prohibits delegation of certification authority when public hearings are requested.

Image for Dam safety: state supervision: exceptions.

Dam safety: state supervision: exceptions.

Exempts certain compressed air energy storage facilities in Kern County from state dam safety regulations. Requires water storage facilities to maintain a maximum height of 25 feet and capacity of 1,500 acre-feet. Mandates oversight by registered civil engineers during design and construction phases. Requires approval from certified state regulatory agencies for exempt facilities.

Dam safety: state supervision: exceptions.

Image for Dam safety: state supervision: exceptions.

Exempts certain compressed air energy storage facilities in Kern County from state dam safety regulations. Requires water storage facilities to maintain a maximum height of 25 feet and capacity of 1,500 acre-feet. Mandates oversight by registered civil engineers during design and construction phases. Requires approval from certified state regulatory agencies for exempt facilities.

Image for Water: County of Ventura: fire suppression.

Water: County of Ventura: fire suppression.

Requires Ventura County water suppliers to maintain 24-hour backup power for fire suppression by July 2027. Mandates water suppliers to create emergency plans and notify officials of reduced water capacity within 3 days. Establishes annual safety inspections of fire suppression infrastructure in high-risk fire zones. Requires reporting when fires damage more than 10 homes in a water supplier's service area.

Water: County of Ventura: fire suppression.

Image for Water: County of Ventura: fire suppression.

Requires Ventura County water suppliers to maintain 24-hour backup power for fire suppression by July 2027. Mandates water suppliers to create emergency plans and notify officials of reduced water capacity within 3 days. Establishes annual safety inspections of fire suppression infrastructure in high-risk fire zones. Requires reporting when fires damage more than 10 homes in a water supplier's service area.

Image for State parks: Accessibility Advisory Committee.

State parks: Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Establishes a new State Parks Accessibility Advisory Committee to improve park access for people with disabilities. Creates an 8-14 member committee including accessibility experts and department representatives. Requires the committee to evaluate accessibility models and review park programs and services. Authorizes the Parks Director to implement committee recommendations at their discretion.

State parks: Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Image for State parks: Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Establishes a new State Parks Accessibility Advisory Committee to improve park access for people with disabilities. Creates an 8-14 member committee including accessibility experts and department representatives. Requires the committee to evaluate accessibility models and review park programs and services. Authorizes the Parks Director to implement committee recommendations at their discretion.

Image for The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975: idle reserve mine status.

The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975: idle reserve mine status.

Establishes a new Idle Reserve Mine Status allowing idle construction aggregate mines to extend operations for up to 10 years. Requires annual inspections of all mining operations including those that are idle or in reserve status. Mandates mining operators to maintain financial assurances for eventual site reclamation during idle periods. Creates a public reporting system tracking the status and compliance of all surface mining operations statewide.

The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975: idle reserve mine status.

Image for The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975: idle reserve mine status.

Establishes a new Idle Reserve Mine Status allowing idle construction aggregate mines to extend operations for up to 10 years. Requires annual inspections of all mining operations including those that are idle or in reserve status. Mandates mining operators to maintain financial assurances for eventual site reclamation during idle periods. Creates a public reporting system tracking the status and compliance of all surface mining operations statewide.

Image for Stormwater: uses: irrigation.

Stormwater: uses: irrigation.

Requires development of state guidelines for using captured stormwater to irrigate urban public spaces by December 2026. Mandates safety standards for stormwater irrigation to protect public health and reduce potable water usage. Establishes a public comment process before finalizing stormwater irrigation recommendations.

Stormwater: uses: irrigation.

Image for Stormwater: uses: irrigation.

Requires development of state guidelines for using captured stormwater to irrigate urban public spaces by December 2026. Mandates safety standards for stormwater irrigation to protect public health and reduce potable water usage. Establishes a public comment process before finalizing stormwater irrigation recommendations.

Image for Office of Emergency Services: state matching funds: water system infrastructure improvements.

Office of Emergency Services: state matching funds: water system infrastructure improvements.

Establishes a new program to fund water infrastructure improvements in high-risk wildfire areas. Provides state matching funds to rural communities for upgrading water lines and installing fire hydrants. Prioritizes funding for water systems serving 15,000 or fewer connections in fire-prone zones. Requires coordination between multiple state agencies to implement water system improvements.

Office of Emergency Services: state matching funds: water system infrastructure improvements.

Image for Office of Emergency Services: state matching funds: water system infrastructure improvements.

Establishes a new program to fund water infrastructure improvements in high-risk wildfire areas. Provides state matching funds to rural communities for upgrading water lines and installing fire hydrants. Prioritizes funding for water systems serving 15,000 or fewer connections in fire-prone zones. Requires coordination between multiple state agencies to implement water system improvements.