AB 2026: Water diversion: groundwater recharge: permit.
<p>The bill amends existing laws regarding groundwater recharge and water diversion in California. It revises conditions for exempting diversions of floodflows for groundwater recharge from appropriative water rights requirements, extending these exemptions to January 1, 2034, and also exempts such diversions from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and lake or streambed alteration agreements under certain conditions.</p> <p>The bill expands definitions related to "floodflow" to include flows downstream of dams releasing water for flood control. It also provides that applications for permits to divert water within or upstream of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to underground storage satisfy specific requirements without further findings by the State Water Resources Control Board.</p> <p>Additionally, it modifies definitions and procedures related to minor applications for w…
| Aug. 13, 2026 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Aug. 03, 2026 | In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Jul. 02, 2026 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jul. 02, 2026 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 1). |
| Jun. 24, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on E.Q. |