Water infrastructure: dams and reservoirs: water release: false pretenses.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Appropriations
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to prevent the U.S. government from releasing stored water from reservoirs in California under false pretenses. It defines ‘false pretenses’ as a knowingly deceptive release of water for a specific purpose. The State Water Resources Control Board is granted authority to issue orders and pursue legal action to stop such releases, and individuals violating the law can be held civilly liable. The bill also clarifies penalties for violations and establishes a process for seeking injunctive relief.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘false pretenses’ for water releases from U.S.-owned reservoirs.
- Authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to issue interim relief orders to halt deceptive water releases.
- Grants the Attorney General the authority to pursue injunctive relief for violations.
- Establishes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for violations.
- Extends these penalties to the United States, subject to federal law.
- Allows the Board to seek reimbursement for costs incurred due to the new provisions.
- Provides a mechanism for the Board to collect penalties if the U.S. government declines to pay.
- Authorizes legal action to prevent, stop, or remedy violations of the new regulations.
Who is affected
- The United States Government (specifically, U.S.-owned reservoirs)
- California Residents (potentially affected by water availability)
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
1 on record
Primary sponsor
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours