SB 389 – Senate Floor
Surface Water Rights Verification
In California, water rights are hugely consequential for the well-being of our natural lands and communities that rely on them. Water rights held before 1914 currently do not have to undergo the same scrutiny as those who held water rights after that year. For this reason, there are gaps within the authority to curtail water rights, preventing accurate enforcement of water protection. As the effects of the climate crisis worsen, it is important to have accurate knowledge of water availability and usage, and modernized water rights to accurately enforce water protection. SB 389 grants the State Water Resources Control Board the authority to review, verify, and issue decisions on senior water rights claims to prevent disproportionate usage of water.
Bill info from the legislature
Issues: Natural Resources, Water, and Climate Resiliency
Signed into Law
Status:
Signed into Law
58 Yes
17 No
5 Abstain
30 Yes
8 No
2 Abstain
Signed
