California · 2025–26 Regular Session · Assembly Bill
AB 1373: Water quality: state certification.
Vetoed Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
- Vetoed
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
AB 1373 is a assembly bill introduced in the California Assembly on February 21, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Water quality: state certification. Primary sponsor: Esmeralda Soria (D). Most recent recorded action (January 22, 2026): Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.
Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the California regional water quality control boards prescribe waste discharge requirements in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Under federal law, any applicant seeking a federal license or permit for an activity that may result in any discharge into the navigable waters of the United States is required to first seek a state water quality certification, as specified. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act authorizes the state board to certify or provide a statement to a federal agency, as required pursuant to federal law, that there is reasonable assurance that an activity of any person subject to the jurisdiction of the state board will not reduce water quality below applicable standards. The federal act provides that if a state fails or refuses to act on a request for this certification within a reasonable period of time, which shall not exceed one year after receipt of the request, then the state certification requirements are waived with respect to the federal application.
This bill would require the state board, if requested by the applicant within 14 days of an initial draft certification being issued, to hold a public hearing at least 21 days before taking action on an application for certification for a license to operate a hydroelectric facility, as provided. The bill would, if a public hearing is requested on the draft certification, prohibit the authority to issue a certification for a license to operate a hydroelectric facility from being delegated. The bill would authorize the state board to include in its fee schedule for hydroelectric facility applicants an amount up to the reasonable costs incurred by the state board in implementing these provisions.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esmeralda Soria | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Assembly | 27 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
- Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
- Vetoed by Governor.
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
- Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 3421.).
- In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2931.).
- Ordered to special consent calendar.
- Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
- Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
- From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
- In committee: Referred to suspense file.