AB 1669: Urban water conservation standards and use reporting.

(1)Existing law requires the state to achieve a 20% reduction in urban per capita water use in California by December 31, 2020. Existing law requires each urban retail water supplier to develop urban water use targets and an interim urban water use target, as specified.

This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board, in consultation with the Department of Water Resources, to adopt long-term standards for urban water conservation and water use by May 20, 2021. The bill would authorize the board, in consultation with the department, to adopt interim standards for urban water conservation and water use by emergency regulation. The bill would require the board, before adopting an emergency regulation, to provide at least 60 days for the public to review and comment on the proposed regulation and would require the board to hold a public hearing. The bill would authorize a court or public entity to hold a person civilly liable in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for a violation of a regulation adopted under these provisions, unless the regulation provides otherwise.

The bill would also authorize the board to issue a regulation or informational order requiring a distributor of a public water supply to submit information relating to water production, water use, or water conservation.

(2)Existing law establishes procedures for reconsideration and amendment of specified decisions and orders of the board. Existing law authorizes any party aggrieved by a specified decision or order of the board to file, not later than 30 days from the date of final board action, a petition for writ of mandate for judicial review of the decision or order.

This bill would apply these procedures to decisions and orders of the board issued pursuant to the provisions described in paragraph (1), including existing provisions and those added by this bill.

(3)Existing law authorizes the board to issue a cease and desist order in response to a violation or threatened violation of certain requirements, including specified emergency regulations adopted by the board. Under existing law, a person who violates a cease and desist order of the board may be liable for each day in which the violation occurs, as specified. Revenue generated from these penalties is deposited in the Water Rights Fund. The moneys in the Water Rights Fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for, among other things, the administration of the boards water rights program.

This bill would authorize the board to issue a cease and desist order in response to a violation or threatened violation of any regulation adopted by the board.