Determination of water rights: stream system.

Senator Laird's water rights adjudication bill modifies how the State Water Resources Control Board investigates and determines water rights claims for California stream systems, shifting from mandatory field visits to a more flexible approach combining optional site inspections with enhanced reporting requirements.

The legislation transforms the board's investigative process by making field investigations discretionary rather than required, while establishing new information-gathering mechanisms. Water rights claimants must respond to board information orders within 45 days, potentially including monthly water use reports and annual updates during pending adjudications. The board may also inspect properties where water is used or diverted after obtaining necessary warrants. When multiple parties need similar technical reports, the board can require reasonable cost-sharing among affected claimants to prevent duplicative efforts.

The bill maintains existing requirements for claimants to participate in investigations, either personally or through authorized representatives, and preserves the board's duty to investigate all known water users - including those who have not filed notices of intent to claim rights. After completing investigations and receiving all proof of claims, the board must prepare a comprehensive report detailing available water supply and summarizing each claimant's asserted rights. These changes apply to the board's statutory authority to adjudicate rights for entire stream systems, affecting all parties who divert or use water from those waterways.