Natural Resources & Water Bills

Establishes new protections for tribal water uses in California's water quality control programs. Requires state agencies to incorporate tribal ecological knowledge into water management decisions. Mandates water quality standards for tribal water uses in major watersheds by January 2027. Exempts tribal water use protections from environmental review requirements.

Requires the Department of Water Resources to adopt a climate-focused water supply forecasting model by 2027. Mandates annual public meetings in five California locations to explain water management decisions. Establishes new documentation requirements for reservoir water release decisions. Requires annual reports to the Legislature on water supply forecasting and operational procedures.

Expands streamlined environmental review to include water storage and groundwater recharge projects. Requires water projects to provide public benefits and enhance drought preparedness. Mandates local agencies to prepare project records without state reimbursement. Requires developers to fund all legal costs for project challenges.

Requires groundwater agencies to publish their board membership online by January 2026. Mandates agencies to provide online links to board members' economic interest statements. Enhances transparency in groundwater management through public disclosure requirements.

Makes technical changes to provisions regarding sheriff custody of wrecked property.

Expands the Dam Safety and Climate Resilience Local Assistance Program to include funding for the removal of dam facilities at existing state jurisdictional dams. Requires grant recipients to provide at least 50% cost-sharing for dam safety projects, with possible waivers for financial hardship or urgent safety risks. Prioritizes funding for projects that protect public safety, restore water storage, and reduce flood risks. Prohibits the use of program funds for raising dams or increasing reservoir capacity.

Extends emergency water conservation regulations for the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds indefinitely until permanent instream flow rules are established. Exempts these watershed regulations from standard one-year expiration limits that apply to other emergency water rules. Maintains existing daily fines of up to $500 for violations of emergency water conservation regulations. Requires collected penalties to be deposited into the Water Rights Fund specifically for water conservation programs.

Requires the Department of Water Resources to update the California Water Plan by 2028 with expanded membership including tribes, labor, and environmental justice representatives to ensure more inclusive water management planning. Establishes an interim target of 9 million acre-feet of additional water capacity by 2040 through new storage, conservation, or alternative water supplies. Mandates comprehensive public workshops in drought-impacted and disadvantaged communities to gather input on water planning strategies. Requires detailed cost-benefit analyses of recommended water projects and annual reporting to the Legislature on plan implementation progress.

Proposes to increase year-round staffing levels at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to enhance wildfire protection and prevention capabilities. Intent bill that signals future legislation to strengthen firefighting capacity through expanded personnel resources.

Establishes Catastrophe Savings Accounts allowing California homeowners to save tax-free for wildfire, flood, and earthquake-related expenses starting January 2025. Permits annual contributions up to $15,000 for insured homeowners or $250,000 for uninsured homeowners, with tax deductions available through 2030. Requires account funds to be used exclusively for qualified disaster expenses declared as emergencies by the Governor. Imposes penalties through the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation for using funds on non-qualified expenses.

Provides eligible Gold Star Family members who are California residents with free day use passes to state parks. Requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to issue passes upon verification of Gold Star Family status. Authorizes the Department to create regulations for implementing the free pass program.

Proposes future legislation to maintain water and energy efficiency as new technologies like artificial intelligence increase demands on limited resources. Addresses growing concerns about the impact of emerging technologies on California's water conservation requirements. Builds upon existing state constitutional requirements for beneficial use and prevention of water waste.

Makes technical changes to provisions regarding the annual fish stocking plans document.

Makes technical changes to existing law regarding water recycling facility development.

Makes technical changes to provisions governing the Native American Heritage Commission's powers and duties.

Extends state authority indefinitely to protect rivers removed from federal wild and scenic river status. Requires public hearings before adding rivers to the state wild and scenic system. Maintains legislative power to modify or remove river designations from the state system. Ensures state protections cannot exceed previous federal protections for designated rivers.

Extends Reclamation District No. 108's authority to generate and sell hydroelectric power indefinitely. Allows the district to fund hydroelectric projects solely through electricity sale proceeds. Permits the district to use power plants and revenue as security for construction loans.