Water infrastructure: dams and reservoirs: water release: false pretenses.
- Prohibits the release of reservoir water under false pretenses about its intended use in California.
- Authorizes the State Water Board to issue immediate stop orders for suspicious water releases.
- Establishes misdemeanor penalties of up to $2,000 and six months in jail for violations.
- Requires water release disputes to receive a hearing within 15 days of request.
Assembly Member Papan's legislation targeting fraudulent water releases from California reservoirs establishes new oversight mechanisms and penalties within the state's dam and reservoir regulatory framework. The bill prohibits releasing stored water under "false pretenses," defined as knowingly misrepresenting or fraudulently claiming the purpose and intended use of released water.
The State Water Resources Control Board receives authority to issue interim relief orders halting potentially fraudulent releases. The board may act independently or respond to petitions from interested parties who must detail the contested release, demonstrate harm, and establish a clear connection between the release and alleged injury. While standard procedure requires 10 days' notice before hearings, the board may issue immediate orders when necessary to prevent violations or avert imminent harm to public health, water users, or environmental benefits. Affected parties can request expedited hearings within 15 days of receiving such orders.
Violations of these provisions constitute misdemeanors punishable by up to $2,000 in fines, six months in county jail, or both, with each day of continuing violation treated as a separate offense. The bill maintains existing penalties for other dam and reservoir regulation violations while extending identical consequences to the new prohibitions. As the measure creates new crimes rather than imposing direct costs, no state reimbursement is required for local agencies under California's constitution.
 Diane PapanD Assembly Member | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Jeff GonzalezR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
- Prohibits the release of reservoir water under false pretenses about its intended use in California.
- Authorizes the State Water Board to issue immediate stop orders for suspicious water releases.
- Establishes misdemeanor penalties of up to $2,000 and six months in jail for violations.
- Requires water release disputes to receive a hearing within 15 days of request.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Papan's legislation targeting fraudulent water releases from California reservoirs establishes new oversight mechanisms and penalties within the state's dam and reservoir regulatory framework. The bill prohibits releasing stored water under "false pretenses," defined as knowingly misrepresenting or fraudulently claiming the purpose and intended use of released water.
The State Water Resources Control Board receives authority to issue interim relief orders halting potentially fraudulent releases. The board may act independently or respond to petitions from interested parties who must detail the contested release, demonstrate harm, and establish a clear connection between the release and alleged injury. While standard procedure requires 10 days' notice before hearings, the board may issue immediate orders when necessary to prevent violations or avert imminent harm to public health, water users, or environmental benefits. Affected parties can request expedited hearings within 15 days of receiving such orders.
Violations of these provisions constitute misdemeanors punishable by up to $2,000 in fines, six months in county jail, or both, with each day of continuing violation treated as a separate offense. The bill maintains existing penalties for other dam and reservoir regulation violations while extending identical consequences to the new prohibitions. As the measure creates new crimes rather than imposing direct costs, no state reimbursement is required for local agencies under California's constitution.
Diane PapanD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Jeff GonzalezR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |