AB 1146: Water infrastructure: dams and reservoirs: water release: false pretenses.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law provides for the regulation and supervision of dams and reservoirs exclusively by the state. Under existing law, a person who violates certain provisions related to the regulation and supervision of dams and reservoirs or of any approval, order, rule, regulation, or requirement of the Department of Water Resources is guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified.

This bill would prohibit the release of stored water from a reservoir owned and operated by the United States in this state if the release is done under false pretenses, which the bill would define to mean a release of water from a reservoir owned and operated by the United States in a manner that is knowingly, designedly, and intentionally under any false or fraudulent representation as to the purpose and intended use of the water. The bill would authorize the State Water Resources Control Board or the Attorney General, as provided, to bring an action for injunctive relief for a violation of the above-described prohibition. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 29, 2025In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 18, 2025In committee: Referred to suspense file.
3. July 16, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 1.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. July 9, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
5. June 23, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
6. June 18, 2025Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and JUD.
7. June 9, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
8. June 5, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 55. Noes 17. Page 2110.)
9. May 27, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. May 23, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 23).
11. May 14, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
12. May 5, 2025Re-referred to Com. on APPR.