Natural Resources & Water

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.

Establishes the bigberry manzanita as California's official state shrub. Recognizes a native plant species that helps prevent soil erosion in California's chaparral ecosystem. Highlights a historically significant plant used by Native Americans and the extinct California grizzly bear.

Expands the SHARE program to increase public access to private lands for wildlife recreation activities. Removes existing caps on landowner compensation to encourage greater private land participation. Authorizes reimbursements to nonprofits and landowners for program implementation costs. Requires participants to sign liability waivers before accessing program lands.

Requires courts to prioritize sustainable groundwater yield determinations before other issues in basin adjudications. Mandates consolidation of legal actions against groundwater agencies when basins are being adjudicated. Prohibits courts from allowing more groundwater pumping than the sustainable yield set in validated management plans. Requires courts to consider impacts on small farmers and disadvantaged communities in water rights decisions.

Establishes a program to hire formerly incarcerated individuals as wildland firefighters after prison release. Requires certification and training of incarcerated firefighters before their release from prison. Provides job placement, mentorship, and career development support for program participants. Guarantees program participants the same union rights and representation as other firefighting staff.

Expands the State Water Board's authority to investigate and monitor water rights claims in stream systems. Requires water users to submit monthly usage reports within 45 days of receiving an information order. Authorizes the Board to inspect water-related properties and facilities with a warrant. Establishes cost-sharing requirements for technical reports among multiple water users.

Establishes an Accessibility Advisory Committee to improve state parks and beaches for people with disabilities. Requires the Parks and Recreation Director to consult with accessibility experts on improvement recommendations. Authorizes reimbursement of committee members' necessary expenses but provides no direct compensation.

Establishes water storage as California's preferred method for meeting future water demands. Requires the Department of Water Resources to update the state water plan to prioritize storage solutions. Aims to address growing water needs across urban, agricultural, and environmental sectors.

Establishes a new 'Water Wise' designation program to recognize businesses that excel in water conservation practices. Requires commercial and industrial businesses to meet specific water management standards for certification. Integrates the designation program into the existing Save Our Water Campaign without new funding.

Establishes the giant garter snake as California's official state snake. Recognizes a threatened species found only in California's Central Valley wetlands and agricultural areas. Aims to increase awareness of a native species that has declined by 90 percent in the past century.

Requires hunting license purchasers to receive firearm safety and legal information starting July 2027. Mandates education on safe storage, child access prevention, and basic firearm laws for hunters. Authorizes Fish and Wildlife Department to create additional firearm safety requirements for licenses.

Establishes new rules for challenging groundwater sustainability agency decisions in court. Requires groundwater agencies to provide technical reports on water usage during legal disputes. Makes groundwater agency technical reports automatically admissible as evidence in court. Mandates courts to distribute the costs of technical reports fairly among involved parties.

Establishes reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for low-income Californians enrolled in public assistance programs. Sets the base fee at $4 for eligible applicants who have no Fish and Game Code violations. Requires applicants to provide documentation of enrollment in qualifying programs like Medi-Cal or CalFresh. Expands reduced-fee licenses to include disabled veterans and recovering service members.

Prohibits the sale or transport of wildlife and plants taken in violation of federal trade laws through 2031. Requires state wildlife officials to protect species that lose federal endangered species protections. Mandates quarterly monitoring of federal actions that could reduce species protections. Exempts cannabis and hemp transactions from the new wildlife trade restrictions.

Establishes two new grant programs to provide drought relief and wildfire protection for California communities. Funds water system improvements in high-risk fire zones to enhance fire suppression capabilities. Provides emergency water supplies through temporary tanks, bottled water, and new infrastructure. Supports water conservation through education and rebates for drought-tolerant landscaping.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to regulate water systems and water districts in future legislation.

Requires large public water systems to enhance their disaster preparedness plans with specific operational details. Mandates water systems to submit emergency response assessments to the Legislature within 6 months of disasters. Requires backup power solutions including onsite and portable generators for emergency operations. Establishes coordination between water systems and emergency services for comprehensive disaster planning.

Authorizes the state to lease and manage Elephant Hill in Los Angeles as a new state park unit. Requires lease agreements between state parks, the City of Los Angeles, and conservation authorities. Mandates development of a comprehensive general plan for the new park unit. Ensures permanent protection of Elephant Hill through state park classification.

Extends the deadline for municipal wastewater agencies to file stormwater agreements from 30 to 40 days. Maintains existing authority for wastewater agencies to manage stormwater and collect related fees. Requires filing agreements with local agency formation commissions in all counties where the agency operates.

Requires public hearings 21 days before the state board acts on water quality certification applications. Prohibits delegation of authority to issue hydroelectric facility operating licenses. Allows certification before environmental review if waiting risks federal authority waiver.

Makes technical changes to firefighting equipment requirements for industrial operations in fire-prone areas.

Prohibits pit dewatering operations near the San Joaquin River Parkway to protect groundwater resources. Applies to areas where groundwater is less than 50 feet below ground surface. Covers both actively pumped water and natural overflow from rainfall or groundwater seepage.

Expands off-highway vehicle recreation grants to include special districts with sworn law enforcement personnel. Maintains existing funding allocations with 50% for operations, 25% for restoration, and 20% for law enforcement. Requires annual financial audits and performance reviews of at least 20% of grant recipients. Mandates matching funds of 25% for most projects and 10% for restoration projects.

Makes technical changes to drought relief grant payment provisions.

Expands California's water quality protection by requiring permits for construction activities over one acre. Mandates stricter drinking water standards to match federal EPA levels by June 2028. Increases civil and criminal penalties for water quality violations with annual inflation adjustments. Authorizes citizens to file lawsuits enforcing water quality standards after giving 60-day notice.